Conservative Legislation and Trade Union Change

Abstract

Conservative administrations from 1979 onwards challenged the traditional autonomous approach of trade union organisation by attempting to impose a prescriptive model for conducting the internal affairs of trade unions. The Conservative model sought to increase the influence of individual members in four specific areas: a) election of senior officials b) the creation and / or maintenance of political funds, c) industrial action d) the enforcement and regulation of internal trade union affairs. The expectation was that the empowerment of the individual member would result in more moderate decision-making. This chapter draws on empirical data gathered from an in depth analysis of seven trade unions: Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU), Electrical, Electronic Telecommunications and Plumbing Union (EETPU, now part of AMICUS), Civil and Public Services Union (CPSA, now part of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCSA), Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF), Rail and Maritime Trade Union (RMT), Bakers Food and Allied Trade Union (BFAWU) and National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE). The research also involved the execution of 101 interviews which included trade union officials, members, the Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members (CROTUM), the Certification Officer (CO) and the Deputy General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress.