By Barney Jones
Edited by Ollie Lycett (Economics Editor)
The topic of trade unions and their role in societal and economic affairs is undeniably a divisive one, as seen by how public opinion is split on the rail strikes, with 35% strongly supporting and 35% strongly opposing them. Such heavily contrasting views denotes how any opinion on wider strike action is both likely to welcome support and strong disagreement. Despite this, I argue that trade unions are necessary for both workers and the British economy going forward.
Trade unions have served a vital function in British society, serving as a collective voice through which workers can effectively communicate and bargain with employers. Without such representation, working people may struggle to protect their rights and interests in the workplace. In considering the historical significance of the unions in relation to employment rights, they have played a pivotal role at every stage.
However, the utility of trade unions is by no means confined to the past, rather, they are more relevant and important today. There are numerous benefits for employees to join a union – notably trade unions increase training rates at work. The UK is amongst the lowest countries for workplace training, which is wholly negative for the workers as well as the firms they work for. With less training, workers are less productive and perhaps more likely to get injured in the workplace, whereas union employees are 24% more likely to report receiving training at work.
Furthermore, a union representative may increase well-being in the workplace – and this does not just benefit the workers, but the company itself, as higher job satisfaction leads to greater productivity and reduced worker turnover.
Additionally, the decline in unions has contributed to the massive economic inequalities which the UK has not seen for almost a century. Analysis from the New Economics Foundation and a study from The Progressive Policy Think Tank show a direct correlation to a decline in trade union density and slowed wage growth and widening inequalities. Without the power of collective bargaining workers are unable to acquire a fairer share of the wealth they create. Whilst there is disagreement over the relationship between economic growth and economic inequality, there is a consensus that the levels of inequality we are seeing currently are not sustainable, which will harm the economy, our democracy and workers.
Despite such economic and social advantages to unions, the government has made their opposition to trade unions – and the rail strikes in particular – very clear, with Johnson labelling the strikes as a “terrible idea” and “unnecessary”. Further still, the government have been describing the rail workers as “selfish” and have continued to condemn them for exercising their legal right to organise collectively and strike. Moreover, the media’s strong criticism of the strikes and the continued showdowns between Mike Lynch across several media platforms has shown quite clearly the media bias against workers in this country.
Human capital is invaluable for Britain: It fuels our economic growth and productivity as a nation. For this to continue, workers need to be paid a fair wage to keep up with. I agree with our Prime Minister, who insisted in October that the UK should be “a high wage, high skill, high productivity” economy, yet I struggle to be convinced as to how this will culminate with his staunch opposition of trade unions. Instead of political slogans, this government needs to support trade unions and work with them to secure workers’ rights if they are serious about having a high wage economy.
Ultimately, this series of strikes is far more than a pay dispute. It has brought trade unions and class issues back to the forefront of the national debate. If the UK wants to become the centre of productivity and high growth, there needs to be a push to welcome trade unions and the protection they bring for hard working men and women up and down the country.
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