Analyse the role that Trade Unions play in reducing discrimination in the workplace? USING THEORIES AND EVIDENCE.
Traditionally trade unions have acted to protect their members’ interests in the workplace and to further the agenda of a fairer and more equal society. However, criticisms levelled at trade unions have suggested that they have mainly concentrated on white working class men. The workshop will explore these issues and examine the changing role of trade unions in the area of equality and diversity.
USE THOSE ARTICLES FOR THE ESSAY:
Achur, J. (2010) ‘Trade Union Membership. BIS, Department for Business Innovation and Skills.
Benett, T. (2010) ‘Exploring the potential of the union equality representative’. Employee Relations.Vol 32 (5).509-525.
Kickens, L. ( )’Beyond the business case; a three-pronged approach to equality action’.Human Resource Management Journal.Vol 9 (1).9-19.
Dickens, L. (2007) ‘The Road is Long: thirty Years of Equality Legislation in Britain’. British Journal of Industrial Relations.45(3).463-494.
Greene, A., Kirton, G. & Wrench, J. (2005) ‘Trade union Perspectives on Diversity Management; A Comparison of the UK and Denmark’.European Journal of Industrial Relations.11(2) 179-196
Heery, E. (2006) ‘Equality Bargaining: Where, Who, Why?’ Gender, Work and Organization.Vo 13(6). 522-542.
Kirton, G. & Greene, A. (2002) ‘ The dynamics of positive action in UK Trade Unions: the case of women and black members’. Industrial Relations Journal 33(2) 157 – 172.
Krings, T. (2009) ‘ A Race to the Bottom? Trade Union, EU Enlargement and the Free Movement of Labour’.European Journal of Industrial Relations. 15 (1) 49-69.
Ledwith, S. (2012) ‘ Gender politics in trade unions. The representation of women between exclusion and inclusion’.Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research. 18 (2) 185-199)
Lindsay, C., Munro, A.& Wise, S. (2007) ‘Making equalities work? Scottish trade unions’ approaches to equal opportunities’. Equal Opportunities International.Vol 26 (5).465-481.
McBride, A. Hebson, G & Holgate, J. (ND) ‘Whose interests? Voice and Representation in Trade Unions: The use of Intersectional Analysis’. Working Lives Research Institute London.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA LEVEL SIX
As below plus:
Outstanding work – contains accurate, relevant material, demonstrates understanding of complex subject matter and, where appropriate, is able to view it in a wider context. Shows originality and confidence in analysing and criticising assumptions, is aware of the limits of knowledge. Likely to add new insights to the topic and approaches the quality of published material.
Evidence of extensive research, uses and presents references effectively with full and proper referencing. The answer has a thoughtful structure, a clear message displaying personal reflection informed by wider reading of articles and/or other commentaries and a good grasp of detail (as evidenced by the choice of relevant examples which are well integrated into the answer’s structure).
Such answers excel in most if not all the following criteria.
• comprehensiveness and accuracy;
• clarity of argument and expression;
• integration of a range of materials;
• evidence of wider reading;
• insight into the theoretical issues.