Reasons for Growth and Decline in Membership of British Trade Unions

Running head: EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS
Employment Relations
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1EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS
As opined by Pelling (2016), human capital forms an integral part of the various
business enterprises because of the fact that the majority of the labor within the framework of
these enterprises are being done by these individuals. Blanden, Machin and Reenen (2006)
are of the viewpoint that the prospects of an organizations depends profoundly on the
effectiveness as well as efficiency of the human capital that it has at its disposal. However,
since the traditional times it is seen that the various business enterprises have focused on the
aspect of profitability or financial growth and the net result of this is the fact that the human
capital of these organizations have been relegated to the background (Doughty 2015). The
resultant effect of this is the fact that despite performing all the hard labor and contributing
towards the growth of an organization in the best possible the very basic psychosocial needs
of these employees are not being fulfilled by the organizations (Butler 2005). It is precisely
here that the construct of trade unions come into prominence since they not help the
employees to articulate the problems that they face or their needs in the most effective
manner but at the same time champion their cause as well. However, within the United
Kingdom it is seen that over the years some British trade unions have gained a substantial
boost in terms of their membership whereas others have not. This essay will explore the
reasons for the growth in membership of some British trade unions whereas decline in the
membership of others.
Charlwood (2004) has stated a trade union can be seen as an organization or body of
employees which aspire to achieve in collaboration with the employees some of the common
goals or targets of the employees. As opined by Gall (2007), these common goals can be
something as simple as a change in the shift hour, approval of leaves and others to something
as complex as formulation of new work policies, strategies, increment of salary or wage and
others. This aspect or the job roles of the trade unions is important because of the subjugation
that the employees of different organizations had been subjected to since the

2EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS
commercialization of the business world. The nation of Great Britain is usually credited as
the place wherein the notion of trade unions took birth during the time of the “Industrial
Revolution” of the 19th century (Pelling 2016). For example, during this age it was seen that
the different organizations which has just been formed as part of the Industrial Revolution
were not only being able to manage different employees of their organization in an effective
manner but at the same time their demands were not being met by the organizations (Kelly
2004). In the 21st century, it is seen that there are many trade unions operational in the United
Kingdom like Trades Union Congress, Transport Salaried Staffs' Association, Union of Shop,
Distributive and Allied Workers and others which try to address the different problems faced
by the employees of the nation (The Guardian 2018). In addition to this, these trade unions
have at the same time played a significant role in the improvement of the working condition
of the human capital of the United Kingdom as well.
Fairbrother and Stewart (2003) are of the viewpoint that the congenial working
condition which the modern day employees are being able to enjoy within the nation of UK is
a clear indication of the benefits or the advantages offered by the different trade unions of the
nation. As opined by Charlwood (2002), in the contemporary times it is seen that different
kinds of trade unions have emerged which intend to cater to the individuals of some specific
profession or some specific needs. Furthermore, it is seen that the membership of these trade
unions depends to a great extent on the kind of services that they offer to the individuals and
also the effectiveness with which they help in the improvement of the working condition of
the employees (Charlwood 2004). Some of the major benefits that the trade unions like like
Trades Union Congress, Transport Salaried Staffs' Association, Union of Shop, Distributive
and Allied Workers and others offer to the employees are collective bargaining power on the
wages that are being offered to them by the organizations and also on the working conditions
or the terms of their employment (Fairbrother and Yates 2003). In addition to this, it is seen