An article examined the relationship between collective bargaining and the minimum wage in European countries, and how the pay bargaining strategies of trade unions and employers shaped the pay equity effects of minimum wage policy.
Source: Damian Grimshaw, Gerhard Bosch, and Jill Rubery, 'Minimum wages and collective bargaining: what types of pay bargaining can foster positive pay equity outcomes?', British Journal of Industrial Relations, Volume 52 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Sep
An article examined the impact of the economic crisis on industrial relations and working conditions in Europe, drawing on a range of European data.
Source: Maurizio Curtarelli, Karel Fric, Oscar Vargas, and Christian Welz, 'Job quality, industrial relations and the crisis in Europe', International Review of Sociology, Volume 24 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Sep
The government began consultation on proposals to implement the new statutory obligation placed upon trade unions (by the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014) to evidence that membership records were accurate and up-to-date. The consultation would close on 4 December 2014.
Source: Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014: Consultation on Trade Union Assured Register of Members, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Links: Consultation document
Date: 2014-Sep
A report examined the changing nature of the ageing workforce in the United Kingdom and considered the main challenges facing unions. The report made a range of recommendations, on topics including: the recognition of diversity within the older workforce; the tailoring of work to older workers; career development issues; and unemployment among older workers.
Source: Matt Flynn, Representing an Ageing Workforce: Challenges and opportunities for trade unions, Trades Union Congress
Date: 2014-Aug
A special issue of a journal examined the impact of austerity policies adopted in European Union member states on municipal public sector employment, and the ways in which collective bargaining and employee participation were attempting to address the consequences for employees. Articles covered Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
Source: Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, Volume 20 Number 3
Links: Table of contents
Notes: Articles included:
Peter Leisink and Stephen Bach, 'Economic crisis and municipal public service employment: comparing developments in seven EU member states'
Stephen Bach and Alexandra Stroleny, 'Restructuring UK local government employment relations: pay determination and employee participation in tough times'
Richard Pond and Christine Jakob, 'Countering European economic policies through meaningful European social dialogue on local and regional government'
Date: 2014-Aug
An article examined the socio-economic correlates of migrant workers' unionization. The obstacles to unionization could be considered within a 'triple-challenge' model reflecting factors such as migrant workers' disproportionate location in less unionized companies.
Source: Surhan Cam, 'Non-unionised migrant workers in Britain: evidence from the Labour Force Survey for a triple-challenge model', Economic and Industrial Democracy, Volume 35 Number 3
Links: Abstract
See also: Surhan Cam, Non-Unionised Migrant Workers: Evidence from the UK Labour Force Survey for a triple-challenge model, Working Paper 149, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University
Date: 2014-Aug
A report provided findings from the Working Together Review, which examined how trade unions, private and public sector organizations, academics, and the Scottish Government could work together to support the development of more collegiate working environments. It said that there were already many examples of business- or sector-specific models of modern, co-operative industrial relations, and identified four key themes for action to build on existing practice, as well as thirty more specific recommendations, including: for a new body to provide leadership on industrial relations, share best practice, and explore how to increase levels of workplace democracy across sectors; for union involvement in implementing the recommendations from the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce; for legislation to ensure worker representation on the boards of public sector bodies; for public sector bodies to report (in their annual reports) on their approach to industrial relations; and for union and employer representatives to undertake training to help build up levels of mutual understanding and trust.
Source: Working Together Review: Progressive workplace policies in Scotland, Scottish Government
Links: Report | Summary | Scottish Government press release | STUC press release
Date: 2014-Aug
An article examined the impact within healthcare settings of reforms, inspired by the 'new public management' approach, on collective bargaining and mechanisms of workforce governance in three countries (the United Kingdom, Italy, and France).
Source: Manuela Galetto, Paul Marginson, and Catherine Spieser, 'Collective bargaining and reforms to hospital healthcare provision: a comparison of the UK, Italy and France', European Journal of Industrial Relations, Volume 20 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Jul
An article examined whether employer-initiated workplace 'voice' was associated with improved resolution of the individual complaints or grievances that workers made against employers. Workplace voice was found to be associated with less serious problems, more informal methods of dispute resolution, more satisfactory outcomes for workers, and lower quit rates. However, these findings needed to be set against generally low rates of satisfactory dispute resolution for all employees in the sample.
Source: Andy Charlwood and Anna Pollert, 'Informal employment dispute resolution among low-wage non-union workers: does managerially initiated workplace voice enhance equity and efficiency?', British Journal of Industrial Relations, Volume 52 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Jun
A report by a committee of MPs said that there was an urgent need for further reform of the Police Federation, the organization that represented police officers in England and Wales up to the rank of chief inspector. The report raised concerns on issues including: allegations of bullying; financial transparency; and the accumulation of financial reserves.
Source: Reform of the Police Federation, Eighteenth Report (Session 2013–14), HC 1163, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | Committee press release | Police Federation press release | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2014-May
An article examined the ways in which trade unions had used equality legislation to secure equal pay for women through the courts. It considered recent legislative changes that, by adopting a reflexive approach, appeared to open up ways for equality bargaining to take place. However, it said that political conservatism in relation to equality, and judicial animosity towards trade unions, had prevented change – forcing trade unions to continue to use adversarial legal methods to pursue equal pay.
Source: Hazel Conley, 'Trade unions, equal pay and the law in the UK', Economic and Industrial Democracy, Volume 35 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Apr
An article examined the relationship between collective bargaining and the law, and the impact of bargaining content and structures on gender equality outcomes, comparing France and the United Kingdom. It said that the two countries had very different collective bargaining traditions and structures, legal traditions, and gender regimes, which illustrated the importance of supportive legislation, bargaining structures, and bargaining equity. The article noted the vulnerability of gains in the United Kingdom, in the context of recent economic conditions and a weakened and localized bargaining framework.
Source: Susan Milner and Abigail Gregory, 'Gender equality bargaining in France and the UK: an uphill struggle?', Journal of Industrial Relations, Volume 56 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Apr
An article examined the relationship between unionization and the adoption of equal opportunities policies and practices in British workplaces, using data from the 2004 Workplace Employment Relations Survey.
Source: Kim Hoque and Nicolas Bacon, 'Unions, joint regulation and workplace equality policy and practice in Britain: evidence from the 2004 Workplace Employment Relations Survey', Work, Employment and Society, Volume 28 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Apr
A report examined the incidence, role and impact of worker representatives (union and non-union) in British workplaces between 2004 and 2011. It said that union workplace organization had weathered the recession better than on previous occasions, with the number of union representatives remaining stable, although union organization varied significantly by sector. The report said that representatives were spending more time on their representative role in 2011, they were more engaged in union recruitment and organization, and there were signs of a more extensive and formal role for non-union representatives following the introduction of the 2005 Information and Consultation Employees (ICE) regulations.
Source: Andy Charlwood and David Angrave, Worker Representation in Great Britain 2004-2011: An analysis based on the Workplace Employment Relations Study, Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service
Links: Report | ACAS press release | University of Loughborough press release
Date: 2014-Apr
A report examined the impact of the economic crisis on industrial relations and working conditions in Europe. It said there had been two phases to the crisis, with relations having weathered the early phase (2008-2010), but there had been many impacts of the second phase (2010-2012) that had been difficult to separate from other, longer standing, tensions and trends. It said there had been an acceleration of the decentralization of collective bargaining, and a number of new social movements had emerged, notably in Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Slovenia. It discussed the impact on jobs and job security, and made policy recommendations.
Source: Impact of the Crisis on Industrial Relations and Working Conditions in Europe, European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
Date: 2014-Apr
A report provided comparative time series data on wage-bargaining outcomes across the European Union member states and Norway. It discussed pay developments within different wage-bargaining regimes, and examined the links between pay and productivity developments. It also examined the systems and levels of minimum wages in Europe, and considered the possibilities and difficulties in co-ordinating them.
Source: Christine Aumayr-Pintar, Jorge Cabrita, Enrique Fernandez-Macias, and Carlos Vacas-Soriano, Pay in Europe in the 21st Century, European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
Links: Report | Summary | European Foundation press release
Date: 2014-Mar
A report evaluated the third wave of the Union Modernisation Fund, a United Kingdom government funding stream to support innovative projects to help speed unions' adaptation to changing labour market conditions.
Source: Mark Stuart and Miguel Mart nez Lucio, Union Modernisation Fund: Round Three evaluation broadening the role and value of unions for an increasingly vulnerable workforce, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Links: Report
Date: 2014-Feb
An article examined whether factors related to work stress explained national differences in health and productivity in European countries. The 'psychosocial safety climate' was found to be the most important workplace determinant of national differences in worker health; and union density was the most important external determinant of psychosocial safety, health, and national income.
Source: Maureen Dollard and Daniel Neser, 'Worker health is good for the economy: union density and psychosocial safety climate as determinants of country differences in worker health and productivity in 31 European countries', Social Science & Medicine, Volume 92
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Feb
An article examined restructuring in the non-profit social services sector in Scotland, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. It focused on three key aspects shaping work in the sector: workers' experience of managerialism; gendered strategies drawn on by workers; and union strategies in the sector, as well as within individual workplaces.
Source: Donna Baines, Sara Charlesworth, and Ian Cunningham, 'Fragmented outcomes: international comparisons of gender, managerialism and union strategies in the nonprofit sector', Journal of Industrial Relations, Volume 56 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Feb