THE FUTURE OF UNIONS

 

 In theory, the dilemma may be resolved by 'empowering' members to become the front line of their own selfrepresentation; but in reality, constructing and sustaining a structure of workplace activism can be a thankless effort. The vicious circle of membership loss, declining ability to win results, and demoralisation is not readily transformed into a virtuous circle of recruitment, representation and empowerment.

UNIONS IN THE FUTURE: WHO, WHAT AND HOW

According Hyman, (2002), Trade unions in the twenty-first century confront old dilemmas, but in new forms. Most fundamentally, these can be described as the who, the what and the how of trade union representation.

1. Whose interests do trade unions represent?

2. How are interests represented?

3. Elements as intelligence, strategy and efficacy.

Finally, how do unions balance two contradictory modes of action: mobilization and struggle on the one hand, compromise on the other? Unions have been eloquently described as ‘managers of discontent’ (Mills, 1948): to win workers’ allegiance they must identify and articulate unresolved grievances, unmet needs and unrealized aspirations. 

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Is the trade union movement lost?

The Malaysian trade union movement continues to be “highly fragmented, diffused and characterised by the large number of small unions in general” [3] consisting of mainly enterprise unions. Even though the trade union movement has been systemically crippled, despite all these restrictions there has been promising instances of achieving respective trade union’s goals and better welfare for the workers through industrial action. As illustrated in the cases mentioned earlier, the government becomes the third party acting between the employers and employees. Nevertheless, the cases also have shown unions in Malaysia have managed relative success despite the long court process. In short, unionising works in Malaysia even with such limitations, and one could only imagine how it would be like without the many restrictions imposed.

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What Makes Unions Strong?

 

Table 1: Four models of unions’ power based on dependence and cohesion High Cohesion Low Cohesion

	High Cohesion	Low Cohesion
High Dependence	The Unions with Strong bargaining power & Strong collective action	The Unions with Strong bargaining power & Weak collective action
Low Dependence	The Unions with Weak bargaining power & Strong collective action	The Unions with Weak bargaining power & Weak collective action

 

Source: Lanu Kim. 2014. What Makes Unions Strong? A Network Perspective on Union Bargaining Power. A thesis. Master of Arts. University of Washington.