Originally published in 1952, The Government of British Trade Unions analyses the government, in theory and in practice, of one of Britain’s most important labour organizations – The Transport and General Works Union in the first half of the 20th Century. It is an appraisal of the role of the rank and file within this union of over one million members, to determine both the opportunity for, and the extent of their participation in, this State within a State. Original sources and materials, which had not previously been made public in relation to any major British or American Trade Union, were used to ascertain member turnover, participation in elections, attendance at Branch meetings and the effect of the repeal of the Trade Disputes Act on Labour Party membership. The study is of great interest both for the light it throws on the general question of Trade Unions in the modern State, and for its analysis of the Transport and General Works Union itself.
Author(s): Joseph Goldstein
Series: Routledge Library Editions: Trade Unions, 8
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 299
City: London
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Original Title Page
Original Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface
Part One
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. The Transport and General Workers Union—Its Power Position (1947–1948) In The Community in Which It Works
Chapter 3. The Union in Theory—An Analysis of the Rules and Constitution of the T.G.W.U.
I. Who Can Join the Union?
II. What is the Nature of the Membership Which the Union's Structure is Designed to Serve?
III. Who Makes Union Policy?
IV. Who Executes Union Policy?
V. Who can Hold Office?
VI. Who is Entitled to Vote?
Part Two
Chapter 4. An Introduction to the Problem of Apathy
Chapter 5. The Membership Turnover and Size, and Distribution in Branches of Different Sizes
Chapter 6. The Arrears Position of the Membership with Special Emphasis on the Size of Membership in Relation to Total National Membership Eligible to Hold Office
Chapter 7. Elections in Relation to Member Participation
I. The Circumstances Under which T.G.W.U. Elections are Held
II. Member Participation in T.G.W.U. Elections
III. Variations in Member Participation of Branches of Different Sizes
IV. Membership Support for Winning Candidates
Chapter 8. Membership Response to the Union's Educational Scheme
Chapter 9. Membership Affiliation to the Labour Party Before and After the Repeal of the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Act of 1927, in Relation to Member Participation
Part Three
Chapter 10. Member Participation at Branch Level—The Problem, Sources of Information and the Method of Inquiry
I. Interviews with T.G.W.U. Officials
II. Records and Documents
III. The Branch Selected
IV. Member-Participant-Observer
V. Interview Schedule and Interview Technique
VI. Interviews with a Representative Sample of the Inactive and Active Populations of The 1/AAA Branch
Chapter 11. The Image of the Branch in Theory
Chapter 12. The Image of the Branch in Action—An Introduction
Chapter 13. The Size, Turnover and Arrears Position of The 1/AAA Branch Membership
Chapter 14. First Impressions and a Description of a Typical 1/AAA Branch Meeting
Chapter 15. Who Controls The Branch?—An Analysis of the Extent of Member Participation at Branch Level
I. Attendance at Branch Meetings
II. Member Participation in Branch Activities
III. Member Participation in Elections at Branch Level
Chapter 16. Who Controls the Branch? (Continued)—The Permanent Paid Official—Union 'Civil Servant'?
Chapter 17. The Inactive Member—Other Channels of Participation and Communication
I. Supplemental Channels of the Union's Formal Communication System
II. Informal Channels—Do Members Think They Can Influence Union Policy?
Chapter 18 The Inactive Member (Continued)—The Problem of Eliciting Active Participation
I. Reasons for Non-Attendance
II. Reasons for Joining the Union in Relation to a Member's Participation
Chapter 19. Conclusion
Appendices
List of Books, Pamphlets and Other Material Used or Consulted
