1.6.5 Trade unions

Trade Unions

Organizations that represent the collective interests of workers, primarily in negotiations regarding wages and working conditions.

Collective Bargaining

The process through which trade unions negotiate with employers on behalf of their members.

Industrial Action

Activities undertaken by trade union members to disrupt productivity in order to persuade employers to accept union demands.

Monopsony

A market situation in which there is only one buyer for many sellers, giving the buyer substantial power over wage rates.

Wage Inelasticity

A condition where the demand for labor does not significantly change in response to changes in wage rates.

Perfectly Competitive Labour Market

A theoretical market where many firms compete against each other to hire a specific type of labor, and where no single employer has market power.

Public Sector Unions

Unions that represent workers in government agencies and public services.

Private Sector Unions

Unions that represent workers in private businesses and industries.

Work to Rule

An industrial action where employees do no more than the minimum required by their contracts, leading to a slowdown in production.

Strike

A form of industrial action where employees refuse to work as a protest against their employer.

Union Membership Decline

The observed reduction in the number of individuals who belong to trade unions over time.

Bargaining Power

The ability of trade unions to influence terms and conditions of employment due to their representation of collective worker interests.

Economic Impact of Trade Unions

Effects that trade union actions and bargaining have on wages, employment levels, and overall economic conditions.

Union Membership by Gender

The distribution of trade union members categorized by male and female employees.

De-industrialisation

The process whereby industrial activity in a country or region is reduced or eliminated, leading to a decrease of jobs in traditional industries.

Flexibility in Labor Markets

Changes in employment practices that allow for varied work arrangements such as part-time, temporary, or contract work.

Increased Supply of Labor

A situation where a higher wage rate encourages more individuals to offer their labor in the market.

Excess Supply of Labor

A state where the number of workers available exceeds the demand for workers, often leading to unemployment.

Wage Rate

The standard amount of money paid to workers for their labor, typically expressed per hour.

Trade Union Membership Statistics

Data reflecting the number of individuals belonging to trade unions, often reported by sector and year.

Economic Theories of Labor Market

Frameworks that explain how wages, employment, and labor supply and demand interact in the marketplace.

TUC (Trades Union Congress)

A national trade union center in the UK, representing multiple unions and advocating for workers' rights.

Rising Productivity

An increase in the output generated per worker, which can potentially lead to wage increases.

Union Influence on Employment

The effect that trade unions have on employment levels through negotiation and collective actions.

Minimum Wage Laws

Regulations that establish the lowest legal wage that can be paid to workers.

Short Term Contracts

Employment agreements that are limited in duration, often resulting in less job security for workers.

Zero Hours Contracts

An employment arrangement where an employer does not guarantee a minimum number of working hours to a worker.

Communication Workers Union

A trade union representing employees in the communications industry.

Royal College of Nursing

A professional organization and a trade union for nurses in the UK.

National Education Union

A trade union for teachers and education professionals.

Workplace Union Presence

The extent to which unions are represented and active within different sectors or companies.

Impact of Legislation on Trade Unions

Changes in laws and regulations that affect the powers and operations of trade unions.

Union Activity in Response to Economic Conditions

How trade unions adjust their strategies and actions based on the economic environment.

Globalization Effects on Labor Markets

The impact of global economic integration on local labor markets, including bargaining power of employees.

Public vs Private Sector Employment

Comparison of employment characteristics and conditions in public versus private sectors.

Trade Unions and Employee Rights

The role of trade unions in advocating for fair treatment and conditions for workers.

Case Studies of Trade Union Actions

Examples of specific instances when trade unions have mobilized for negotiations or strikes.

Economic Journal Article Topics

Potential subjects for academic writing discussing trade unions and their impacts.

Wage Differentials due to Union Presence

Variations in wage levels that can be attributed to the presence or absence of trade unions.

Statistics on Trade Union Membership Over Time

Trends and changes in union membership numbers, highlighting historical developments.

Union Strategies for Wage Negotiation

Methods used by unions to advocate for higher wages on behalf of their members.