Has the Retreat of Trade Unionism Quickened in the Recession

Abstract

The decline of Trade Unionism in the UK in the 1980s has been well documented. Union density down from 53% in 1979 to 38% in 1980. The proportion of private sector plants with recognised Trade Unions down by 10 percentage points. Progressive legislative changes have outlawed closed shop arrangements resulting in a dramatic decline in such relationships by 1990. Following on from evidence provided by a survey into changing union presence in the 1980s (see Gregg and Yates, 1991), NIESR in conjunction with the LBS has undertaken a major new survey of the impact of the recession on company behaviour. This will include basic questions on union presence and institutions and pay setting systems (including pay freezes).

Citation

DesJonqueres, T. and Gregg, P. (1993), "Has the Retreat of Trade Unionism Quickened in the Recession", Management Research News, Vol. 16 No. 5/6, pp. 41-41. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb028304