Trade Unions: Rising Fear of Industrial Action

A survey published this month by law firm DLA has shown a rising tide of fear about impending industrial action. 42% of unions questioned expected an increase in industrial action whilst 48% of employers expected industrial action.

The disquiet is fuelled by recent elections of apparently militant leaders to the RMT and Amicus. However the industrial landscape has changed irreversibly since the winter of discontent in 1979. Current union membership is much more likely to be comprised of professionals than skilled trades. 48% of professional staff belong to trade unions or trade associations compared with 30% of skilled trades.

The perception of “trouble at t’mill” may in fact be in fact misconceived. ACAS recently undertook a survey in Kent to uncover an attitude of “benign neutrality” amongst employers. The majority of employers said that there had been no change in membership between 2000 and 2001. In fact a number of employers reported a decline in the membership. That said, in July this year the European Court of Human Rights held that the use of financial incentives by employers to limit union membership was a violation of the Convention of Human Rights as it amounted to an attempt to restrict “the freedom of association”.

The climate on recognition is likely to change as a result of the implementation of the EU Information and Consultation Directive, which will be fully in force by 2008.
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