Focusing or Fragmenting Representation at Work?: Specialist Trade Union Representation in the United Kingdom

Focusing or Fragmenting Representation at Work? reflects on how existing forms of workplace representation have changed in recent years and how new forms have developed. There is increasing interest in ’fine-tuning’ representation, and in reflecting the complexity and nuances of specific groups of workers and themes at work such as equality, ecology, learning, and others. However, this study examines the extent of these developments and what they represent as innovative trade union roles. Chapters examine a wide range of highly prescient workplace issues, including:

• The changing role of the health and safety representative
• Equality representatives and new forms of trade union voice
• Learning, training and union representation
• Young and older workers in trade union revitalization
• ’Green reps’ and the matter of ecological questions and politics

Focusing or Fragmenting Representation at Work? ends by reviewing the challenges and debates on new forms of trade union representation and raises proactive and thought provoking questions for academic researchers examining trade unions, industrial relations and the sociology of work, as well as current trade unionists and trade union representatives.

Featuring a balance of texts on the changing nature of and the history of trade union change and transformation, the series Trade Unionism gives space for in-depth, detailed analysis and captures key themes on the nature of internationalism and trade unionism.

Andy Hodder is Senior Lecturer in Employment Relations and University Director of Postgraduates at University of Birmingham, UK. He is Secretary of the British Universities Industrial Relations Association, co-founder and co-chair of the Midlands Labour & Employment Relations Society and co-editor of Young Workers and Trade Unions: A Global View.

Miguel Martínez Lucio is Professor of International HRM & Comparative Industrial Relations at University of Manchester, UK. He is joint chief editor of the journal, New Technology, Work and Employment and is currently on the editorial board of the journals European Journal of Industrial Relations and Critical Perspectives in International Business.