UNIONS: WORK IN PROGRESS?
When I entered the world of work in the 1970s over 50% were members of a trade union. The latest figures show this has now fallen to 22% - so what happened?
Perhaps several factors. Political and legal changes were made in the 1980s by Margaret Thatcher's government which sought to control and regulate trade unions For example, requiring secret ballots in place of a show of hands on the factory floor to agree a strike.
Employment patterns have also changed significantly. People no longer expect – or are able – to stay with one employer or one type of work through their working life. Zero hours contracts, more part-time employment and home-based working have spread. This is especially marked in the private sector, where union membership is now only 12%; in the public sector, perhaps with more continuity of employment, membership is over 48%.
Maybe there is another element too – the cultural shift to more individualism in how we live our lives generally. Supermarkets compete for customer loyalty. We may live in one place, have children in school in another, go somewhere else for leisure. Organisations from golf clubs to campaigners for good causes are struggling for new members - especially from those still of working age.
In the North East we have a strong tradition of trade unionism, reaching back to the early days of the Industrial Revolution. In 1731 the Tyne Water Men and Wear Water Men went on what may be the first strike of the modern industrial era in the world. The work of the Keelmen was precarious – perhaps that brought Newcastle and Sunderland together?!
Followed in 1765 by what became known as the Pitmen’s Great Stand. They fought to do away with the Annual Bond, which legally tied them to one pit for the following 52 weeks. The fellowship of mining communities is celebrated at the Durham Miners Gala (this year on Saturday 13th July).
Those who led the early unions were respected members of their local community, often involved in other social movements such as the local co-operatives, or as free church lay preachers. They knew how to get people to work together for the common good.
Have we lost a sense of belonging and shared endeavour? How do we come together to bring change for the better at work and in our communities?
Christine Brown