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Workplace representation, its impact on trade union members and its capacity to compete with management in the European workplace

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  • Jeremy Waddington

Abstract

Drawing on questionnaire-based survey data comprising responses from the members of 14 trade union organizations based in 12 European countries, this article explores the impact of workplace representatives on perceptions of the performance of trade unions among members. The article shows that large numbers of members are dissatisfied with the quality of representation, even if a workplace representative is located at their place of work. When there is a workplace representative present, it is apparent that members view the performance of the union to be superior to that of management on a wide range of workplace tasks. When there is no workplace representative present, the performance of management is generally superior to that of the union.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeremy Waddington, 2014. "Workplace representation, its impact on trade union members and its capacity to compete with management in the European workplace," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 20(4), pages 537-558, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:20:y:2014:i:4:p:537-558
    DOI: 10.1177/1024258914546274
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kohaut, Susanne & Ellguth, Peter, 2010. "Tarifbindung und betriebliche Interessenvertretung: Aktuelle Ergebnisse aus dem IAB-Betriebspanel 2009," WSI-Mitteilungen, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 63(4), pages 204-209.
    2. Christian Lévesque & Gregor Murray, 2010. "Understanding union power: resources and capabilities for renewing union capacity," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 16(3), pages 333-350, August.
    3. Jeremy Waddington & Colin Whitston, 1997. "Why Do People Join Unions in a Period of Membership Decline?," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 35(4), pages 515-546, December.
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    1. Manwel Debono, 2019. "Attitudes towards trade unions in Malta," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 40(4), pages 997-1017, November.
    2. Eli Moen, 2017. "Weakening trade union power," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 23(4), pages 425-439, November.

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