Trade Unions

This book is an introduction to the academic study of trade unions. It starts by comparing and contrasting the trade union movements of Western Countries, and discusses their growth. It then examines the structure and organisation of trade unions, democracy within trade unions and the wider social and economic consequences of trade unionism. The book concludes by investigating the relations between unions and government and the present problems facing trade unions. The book takes British practice and developments as its starting point but widens its discussion to incorporate foreign experience. This is an important introductory text for students of industrial relations and industrial sociology, and will also be of interest to those studying economics, politics and business studies.