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

2. 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

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

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

5. The OECD relegation zone

6. The UK’s low pay problem

7. Rising in-work poverty

8. Falling labour share

9. Record levels of employment

10. Zero hours

11. Self employment

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

18. Collective agreements by sector

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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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.