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“... trade unions play a vital role in the working conditions and lives of workers, safeguarding their rights and shaping labour policies.”
Unions in Britain have historically occupied a pivotal and prominent position within the nation’s social and economic landscape, ardently safeguarding workers’ rights, resisting and defending exploitation. Impact’s Amelia Brodgen explores the origins of modern Unions, the contemporary significance of unions in Britain, and the development of student’s unions. The origins of modern unions in Britain can be traced back to the late 18th and early 19th century, a period that witnessed the Great Industrial Revolution’s rapid growth and transformation of traditional work. The shift from agrarian-based to industrialised economies marked the emergence of factories and mass production, employing the rapid demand for vast numbers of workers. These changes often subjected its workers to deplorable working conditions and meagre wages. In response to these hardships, workers began organising themselves into groups, strong in numbers, to collectively demand better treatment from their employers. Despite initial challenges, the early 20th century saw a resurgence of union activity. The formation of the Labour Representation Committee (LRC), provided political representation to the working class. This ultimately led to the development of significant reforms, including the Trade Disputes Act of 1906, and the Trade Union Act of 1913.
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“From the rapid demanding days of the industrial revolution to the present, trade unions have been at the forefront of securing rights and fair treatment of their workers” Noteworthy unions such as UNISON, UNITE, GMB, and the Communication Workers Union (CWU), represent workers across equally important and diverse sectors, including public services, manufacturing, transportation, and communication.
Union membership has declined since the 1980s. This decline reflects a shift in the employment structure of Britain, switching from primary and manufacturing jobs to jobs within the service sector, which has seen enormous growth. This sector includes the retail sector, the financial sector, the public sector, business administration, leisure and cultural activities. The service industries accounted for 79% of the total UK economic output in April 2023 and 83% of employment in January-March 2023. In contemporary Britain, trade unions play a vital role in the working conditions and lives of workers, safeguarding their rights and shaping labour policies. With the leverage of strength in numbers, unions are able to engage in negotiations with employers to secure fair wages, job security, and improved working conditions. Importantly, they act as a watchful eye to ensure compliance with labour laws and rightfully advocate for social justice.
Their collective efforts have led to significant accomplishments, such as the introduction of the National Minimum Wage and the protection of workers’ rights during periods of economic uncertainty. More recently, the National Education Union (NEU) and several other teaching unions have collectively accepted the government’s recent pay rise offer of 6.5% as of Monday 31st July. Within the realm of British unions, the Students’ Union represents another crucial position in representing educational and social needs. These bodies serve as the official representation of students within universities and higher educational institutions, advocating for their interests and mental and physical welfare. Student unions provide an accessible platform for students to have a voice amongst the crowd of university culture. It allows them to engage and enter into democratic processes and organise or take part in events and activities for themselves and others to socialise and enjoy.
