Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Trade Union Futures – Wholesome Swedish Meatballs or Pungent French Cheeses?

Or Harrogate's Bettys? For the last week or so I have had a constructive on-line debate with T&G Unite Steward (and “Bewildered LP member of Southampton Itchen CLP”) Iansredblog on trade unions, possible good practice elsewhere in the world and in particular the role of shop stewards.

Now, Ian and I have not had exactly an absolute meeting of minds – although we do have much in common. We both agree upon what is called an “organising approach” in our unions. Where local trade union stewards, activists and regional officers take responsibility for “organising” their members not just “servicing” their needs. Organised branches run by local organisers (stewards) and supported also by regional/national organisers (trade union full time officers) is the “nirvana” of modern day trade unionism.

Instead of just responding to member’s problems you will actively involve members in seeking solutions. A local steward won’t just say to members about an issue “leave it to me I’ll try and sort it out”. She or he would say to members “look if we all got together and did something collectively then we are more likely to get something done”. A “self sustaining workforce” as Ian puts it.

The Labour Party could learn a lot from such an approach, however, since it is not that prominent in that many MBA syllabuses, then perhaps not.

However, what Ian and I have mostly differed upon is what we should all be doing to challenge and change the present agreed “unacceptable” state of modern day British trade unionism (low membership density, participation and influence).

We have debated the role of “struggle” in modern day “class” politics. What is the best model for us in the UK to follow? Do we follow the Scandinavian model of Denmark, Finland and Sweden (80-90%) who have high union density compared with the UK (only 29%) rather than with Southern Europe countries that have even lower union membership than us (France 9%)?

What is the role in Britain of our trade union “political arm” (the Labour Party - discuss)? Is blaming the Party for our failure to organise, just an excuse or is the different legislative approach in Sweden the reason for their “success” (if that is what they have?)

Should British Trade union organisers aim to have the same constructive and long term partnership relationships with employers that they have in Sweden? Or should we have extremely low membership but highly active participation in demos as we have in France? What do you think?

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