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Unions 21 are to publish the results of a YouGov survey commissioned to inform the debate about the future of trade unions in modern Britain.
The survey shows that despite an increasingly difficult work environment, there remains a strong positive commitment to work. Two thirds of respondents said that their job is interesting and enjoyable while six out of 10 feel loyal to their organisation.
Contrary to the impression often conveyed in the media, respondents across all sectors are more likely to agree that management and unions usually work together than are at loggerheads, and that there is a strong preference for this type of approach.
However, this preference cannot be taken for granted. Seven out of 10 respondents already think that their job requires them to work very hard and, under current Government policies, work pressures are likely to intensify at the same time that many workers face a squeeze on pay and growing concerns about job insecurity.
The survey also reveals sectoral, demographic and economic differences in experience that are challenging for unions and management alike. For example:
-Young workers are less likely than others to report opportunities to develop their skills and express lower levels of loyalty to the organisations they work for, but are more likely to encounter problems of unfair wages or discipline.
-Low paid workers are least likely to think that they have much influence over how to do their job or the pace at which they work.
-Only 13% of respondents overall are very satisfied with the influence they have over organisational decisions that affect their job or working life.
The survey results will be published at a TUC fringe meeting, to be held in Central 7, Manchester Convention Centre at 12.45pm on Monday 13 September.
Speakers at the meeting will be: Lesley Mercer, Director of Employment Relations at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy; John Smith, General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union; Chris Keates, General Secretary of NASUWT; and Tim Horton, Research Director at the Fabian society.
