Hotel and Catering Industry Employees′ Attitudes towards Trade Unions

Abstract

Reports and analyses the findings of recent research undertaken in five Scottish centres to assess hotel and catering workers′ attitudes to trade unions. Initially, reviews the reasons advanced in explaining low union density in the hotel and catering industry. These explanations formed the basis to the research project which are reported. The research fieldwork comprised interviews with hotel and catering workers in a variety of establishments across a range of industry sub‐sectors. Contrary to what would have been expected from a review of previous research, Scottish hotel and catering workers demonstrated positive views of trade unions and a high level of interest in union membership. In the light of such views, gives consideration to the reasons why hotel and catering workers remain largely non‐unionized in terms of employer hostility to trade unions and employee doubts about the potential for union success in the industry.

Citation

Macaulay, I.R. and Wood, R.C. (1992), "Hotel and Catering Industry Employees′ Attitudes towards Trade Unions", Employee Relations, Vol. 14 No. 3, pp. 20-28. https://doi.org/10.1108/01425459210013878