Privatisation and Local Trade Unionism

Abstract

The argument in this paper is that, while privatization creates difficulties for traditional forms of unionism, it also opens up the possibility of union renewal. Drawing on detailed case study evidence from telecommunications, gas and water, three related issues are examined. Managerial decentralisation and devolution have created opportunities for managements to pursue policies aimed at achieving more direct forms of control over their workforces, specifically through the individualisation of work relations, thereby threatening the continued operation of unions in these industries. With these developments it has become clear that the traditional forms of unionism no longer suffice, precipitating debates within these unions as to how best to deal with these changes. In the face of these developments, local unions have attempted to either maintain past forms of organisation and activity to accommodate this process of restructuring or they have begun a process of union renewal, broadening their bases of union concern and activity. Thus, the paradox of privatization is that some unions may be able to take the opportunity provided by this restructuring to reorganise and lay the foundations for their renewal in more participative and active ways.