Change for the better: – principles and institutions for trade union revival David Arnold

Outline of presentation Context: the UK economic model and the need for an effective trade union counterweight A platform turned to scaffold......the declining influence of unions today Reasons for decline and the need to reflect on our own mode of operation Solutions. What we need to do to secure a trade union revival

Context: the UK economic model and the need for an effective trade union counterweight

Average wage growth in the UK still below pre-crisis levels

The OECD relegation zone

The UK’s low pay problem

Rising in-work poverty

Falling labour share

Record levels of employment

Zero hours

Self employment

A platform turned to scaffold..... the declining influence of unions today

Collective agreements by sector

The reasons for decline.....how did it come to this?

Reflect on the movement’s own mode of operation Current organisational structure works against movement wide initiatives Culturally conservative - overly defensive and resistant to change Over reliance on political solutions to union problems

Solutions #1 Principles for reform Take responsibility for where we are now See reflection and debate as a force for good Think about structure as a function of purpose Recognise that there is no ‘political silver bullet’ – that the best results come when political change goes hand-in-hand with organisational change

Solutions #2 New institutions A new centre for trade union growth A Workers Lab A new membership for low paid A TUC led public facing campaign for workplace democracy An investment for growth strategy

Jobs in growth sectors Professional, scientific and technical activities Legal activities, bookkeeping, activities of head offices, consultancy, architecture, technical testing, engineering, research (natural sciences) advertising and market research, media representation, design activities, photography, translation, veterinary Administrative and support service activities Rental and leasing activities, employment agencies, travel and tourism, security, services to buildings and landscape activities, cleaning, office admin and support, call centres, business support, packaging.