PM4064 Tutorial 6: The Role and Collective Representation of Trade Unions

Functions and Purpose of Trade Unions

  • Definition: An organisation formed by workers to protect the collective interests of its members.

  • Power: Serves as a countervailing force against employers and a pressure group within society.

  • Economic Regulation: Focuses on the maximisation of member wages and employment levels.

  • Job Regulation: Prevents arbitrary employer decisions and facilitates participation in organisational decision-making.

  • Member Services: Provides individual benefits such as pension advice, discounted insurance, and travel schemes.

Benefits of Union Membership

  • Collective Bargaining: Increased power to negotiate better wages and working conditions.

  • Security: Enhanced job security through powerful collective representation.

  • Protection: Defence against discrimination and unfair dismissal via formal representation.

Organizational Structure

  • Workplace Level: Individual workers and the Shop Steward.

  • Branch Level: Managed by the Branch Committee and Branch Secretary (Full-Time Official). Can be organised by geography (e.g., BATU) or establishment sector (e.g., SIPTU contract or retail sectors).

  • National Level: Includes the National Executive, General Secretary, and Officers. Responsible for high-level lobbying and government-level bargaining.

The Shop Steward Role

  • Definition: A lay representative elected by workers to act on their behalf in industrial relations matters at the organizational level.

  • Tenure: Generally elected for a term of 11 to 55 years.

  • Primary Duties: Recruiting new members, acting as a link to the union, and negotiating day-to-day issues with employers.

National Level Governance

  • Proposals: Policy motions originate at the branch level.

  • Elections: National Officers are elected at the Annual Delegate Council.

  • Terms: General Officers are full-time positions; in SIPTU, they are elected for a 66 year period.

Questions & Discussion

  • Shop Steward Scenario: When asked to represent colleagues after successfully negotiating holiday booking procedures, workers must weigh the advantages of active participation against potential disadvantages.

  • Amazon Case Study: Discussion on factors that prompt workers to join unions versus barriers that prevent unionisation.

  • Deliveroo Case Study: Inquiry into why unions seek to organise workers within the gig economy.

Legal and Historical Context

  • Anti-Combinations Acts 1799-1800: Made trade union membership subject to criminal penalties (66 months jail in Ireland and 33 months in England).

  • Trade Union Act 1871: Legalised the existence of trade unions but notably did not legalise their activities.