Trade Union Representation: The UK and Ireland in the European Context

Abstract

This paper uses evidence from a major survey of employers (of more than 200 employees) with around 5000 respondents in 14 European countries to compare trade union representation at organisation level. It compares the situation in the UK and that in Ireland with the rest of Europe. The paper addresses trade union membership, trade union recognition and trade union influence. It also examines the locus of decision‐making on industrial relations within UK organisations and compares that too with Ireland and elsewhere in Europe and addresses the issue of human resource management (HRM). Finally, the paper attempts to locate the British and Irish situation within a European context.