Trade Union Policies and Strategies: Meeting the Challenge of a New International Order

This research involves comparative case studies of four British trade unions. It explores the development of structures and strategies for meeting the challenges of recruitment, retention, organising, servicing and educating, given the changing workforce and the changing world of work. The research is methodologically pluralist involving in-depth interviews, large-scale surveys, observation and archive research.

Current issues of interest involve equality policies within the various unions, looking at initiatives and policies designed to combat racism and sexism with the unions and to encourage greater numbers of women members and members from minority ethnic backgrounds. A detailed exploration of equality courses within the unions’ education programmes is being conducted, investigating objectives of the courses and participants experiences of the courses.

This research is funded by the University of North London Development and Diversity Fund and involves a six member research team.