Recent Trends in British Trade Union Density: How Much of a Compositional Effect?

The fall in aggregate trade union density in Britain between 1983 and 1989 is analysed. The influence of the changing composition of employment, according to gender, full‐time or part‐time status, establishment size, age, occupation, region and industry, is measured. The total effect of compositional change accounts for an estimated 30 per cent of the fall in aggregate density.