Abstract
How are unions governed? In other words, what kind of constitutions and rules do they have? Do they have elections and secret ballots? To what extent do members participate? Are they democratic institutions? In recent years Conservative governments have interfered with union constitutions through legislation. Part of the rhetoric of such intervention has been the notion of ‘giving unions back to their members’. Popular debate has often characterised unions’ policies as being unrepresentative of their membership. Such debate may explain this in terms of the apathy of union members, or, as reflected in the legislation referred to, in terms of union procedures. More academic debate might focus on the tendency for elites to develop. Is there an ‘iron law of oligarchy’ whereby the few always take power?
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