The trade union effect……The trade union effect……

David WaltersCardiff Work Environment Research Centre

Cardiff University

David WaltersCardiff Work Environment Research Centre

Cardiff University

What works and what supports it - the research evidence

What does this mean for current practice

Some questions and issues for the future

What works and what supports it - the research evidence

What does this mean for current practice

Some questions and issues for the future

What this presentation is aboutWhat this presentation is about

Statutory arrangements for representation and consultation on health and safety and performance: what works?

Statutory arrangements for representation and consultation on health and safety and performance: what works?

Mainly two kinds of evidence: Leading indicators — ‘Activities of

representatives’ and management arrangements as proxy indicators of effectiveness

Trailing indicators — direct measures of performance outcomes linked to presence of joint arrangements/safety representatives/trade unions

Mixed findings in the research in different countries and industries

Mainly two kinds of evidence: Leading indicators — ‘Activities of

representatives’ and management arrangements as proxy indicators of effectiveness

Trailing indicators — direct measures of performance outcomes linked to presence of joint arrangements/safety representatives/trade unions

Mixed findings in the research in different countries and industries

Latest UK evidence from WIRS/WERSLatest UK evidence from WIRS/WERS

1996-2007 — several different analyses of relationship between joint arrangements, trades unions and OHS performance. Contradictory findings.

Walters and Nichols 2007 — revisited earlier study focusing on joint arrangements in manufacturing and OHS outcomes as measured by reported serious injuries. Used improved econometric modeling techniques and new

aggregates of variables to examine trade union mediated effects

Showed statistically significant relationship between trade union involvement in workplace joint arrangements and improved injury outcomes.

1996-2007 — several different analyses of relationship between joint arrangements, trades unions and OHS performance. Contradictory findings.

Walters and Nichols 2007 — revisited earlier study focusing on joint arrangements in manufacturing and OHS outcomes as measured by reported serious injuries. Used improved econometric modeling techniques and new

aggregates of variables to examine trade union mediated effects

Showed statistically significant relationship between trade union involvement in workplace joint arrangements and improved injury outcomes.

Combining quantitative and qualitative approaches

Combining quantitative and qualitative approaches

Looked in detail at the operation of arrangements in 15 case studies in chemicals construction and retail with wide range of size, organisation and labour relations

Found confirmation of the ‘trade union effect’ among ‘preconditions’ for effectiveness of joint arrangements

Looked in detail at the operation of arrangements in 15 case studies in chemicals construction and retail with wide range of size, organisation and labour relations

Found confirmation of the ‘trade union effect’ among ‘preconditions’ for effectiveness of joint arrangements

What makes things work?What makes things work?

Studies confirm the support of : Regulatory provisions for worker representation

(which means trade union representation) Management commitment to better health and

safety performance and participative arrangements Workplace worker organisation prioritising OHS Support from trade unions outside workplaces,

especially with information and training leading to… Well-trained and informed representatives Consultation between worker health and safety

representatives and their constituencies Surveillance by labour inspectors

Studies confirm the support of : Regulatory provisions for worker representation

(which means trade union representation) Management commitment to better health and

safety performance and participative arrangements Workplace worker organisation prioritising OHS Support from trade unions outside workplaces,

especially with information and training leading to… Well-trained and informed representatives Consultation between worker health and safety

representatives and their constituencies Surveillance by labour inspectors

But….But….

Instances of the combined presence of preconditions for effectiveness relatively few

Much evidence of barriers to effectiveness

Instances of the combined presence of preconditions for effectiveness relatively few

Much evidence of barriers to effectiveness

Changes in health and safety representation methods 1998-2004

Changes in health and safety representation methods 1998-2004

Health and Safety Representation

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Single or multi-issue joint committeesFree standing worker representatives Direct methods No arrangements

%

1998 2004

Workplaces with 10 or more employees Source: Kersley et al 2006: 204 Table 7.12

Health and Safety Representation

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Single or multi-issue joint committeesFree standing worker representatives Direct methods No arrangements

%

1998 2004

Workplaces with 10 or more employees Source: Kersley et al 2006: 204 Table 7.12

Conclusions, issues and questionsConclusions, issues and questions

Traditional approaches to health and safety representation that involve trades unions are effective — but with better support, could be more effective in the workplaces in which they apply

But The presence of these and other preconditions for

effectiveness is diminishing They do not reach the majority of workplaces nor

deal effectively with small workplaces, multi-employer worksites, precarious workers etc.

Research evidence on injuries but major effects are ill-health

Traditional approaches to health and safety representation that involve trades unions are effective — but with better support, could be more effective in the workplaces in which they apply

But The presence of these and other preconditions for

effectiveness is diminishing They do not reach the majority of workplaces nor

deal effectively with small workplaces, multi-employer worksites, precarious workers etc.

Research evidence on injuries but major effects are ill-health

Ways forwardWays forward

Small firms? Multi-employer worksites? Precarious workers and migrant workers? Psycho-social health effects? Non-union firms? Better regulatory provisions? Inspection? Union strategies?

Small firms? Multi-employer worksites? Precarious workers and migrant workers? Psycho-social health effects? Non-union firms? Better regulatory provisions? Inspection? Union strategies?