Jimmy Reid Foundation report: Demise of trade unions has created democratic deficit in workplace

Scotland and the UK are falling behind the rest of Europe in terms of democracy in the workplace, according to a new report for the Jimmy Reid Foundation.

‘Rights and Respect: a vision for democracy in the workplace’ will be launched today at a STUC event to campaign against UK Government plans to reform trade union rules via the Trade Union Bill.

Falling union membership and weakening of workers’ rights has led to disempowerment and disenfranchisement in the workplace, according to the report.

“It is easier to sack workers in Britain than elsewhere in the European Union,” it says.

This can be reversed by strengthening sectoral bargaining, workers’ rights and influence, alongside a number of other left-wing reforms including renationalisation of utilities and infrastructure, it says.

Although the proposals are radical in the current UK political landscape, the report argues some of them exist in countries like Germany and Scandinavia.

The report’s author, Professor Gregor Gall, said trade unions should “take advantage” of sympathetic ears in the new Labour leadership and the SNP to promote reform.

“There is a particular role for the STUC and the newly enlarged SNP Trade Union Group to influence the SNP Scottish Government into taking such steps,” the report suggests.

Professor Gall said: “It is imperative that in addition to opposing the Trade Union Bill the union movement takes a step back from this immediate task and considers how long-term and deep seated positive change can be brought about in workplaces so that workers empowered and enfranchised.”

STUC general secretary Grahame Smith said the paper made a “welcome and positive contribution” to the campaign.

“The STUC intends to widely disseminate this paper which should [form] part of the basis for unions' work in improving the architecture of industrial relations in a Scotland,” he added.