Chapter 14 - Trade Unions

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of trade unions. Trades Union Congress (TUC) includes craft unions, industrial unions, general unions, and white collar unions. Each union is autonomous and is vertically organized from an elected executive down to local branches. According to the size of the union, it employs a series of full-time national, regional, district and local officers; however, much of the day by day work is done voluntarily by branch officers and shop stewards. There are considerable variations in local and national organizations. The TUC is governed by a General Council of 36 members selected according to numbers and occupational groupings and including two women. The Report of the Trades Union Congress is published annually and gives an account of its work throughout the year. The function of a union is to obtain the best possible conditions for its members regarding pay, holidays, and working conditions. In the area of occupational safety and health, this is achieved at the TUC level by discussions and correspondence with ministers and government officials and by agreements with the Confederation of British Industry. Trade unions are very much concerned with compensation for industrial injuries and disease. The TUC is responsible for negotiating the prescription of occupational diseases with the Department of Health and Social Security.