British Unions: Dissolution or Resurgence?

Two-employees-in-five belong to a union in Great Britain. This is a higher density figure than those of our main EC partners, but it masks the longest sustained period of membership loss ever experienced. Union responses to the loss of a third of their members are examined. Mergers among unions will influence union organization and structure but will not affect total membership much. It is emphasized that their interaction with employers is of paramount importance in determining unions' future. Their dealings with present non-union members are of secondary importance. The state can play a key role too: further attacks on collectivism point to decay but encouragement of collective bargaining by a future government would lead to a resurgence in union fortunes.