Union learning representatives in the UK: activity, impact and organization

The debate over the significance of union learning representatives (ULRs) in the UK has become increasingly polarized. Some commentators see little prospect of ULRs contributing to advancing either workplace learning or union organization due to the constraints of neo-liberal state policy. An opposi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Work, employment and society employment and society, 2017-04, Vol.31 (2), p.265-283
Main Authors: Saundry, Richard, Antcliff, Valerie, Hollinrake, Alison
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Article: Employment relations
Cognitive style
Employment policies
Membership
Neoliberalism
Polls & surveys
Regulation
Training
Union membership
Unionization
Workplace learning
Workplaces
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Summary:The debate over the significance of union learning representatives (ULRs) in the UK has become increasingly polarized. Some commentators see little prospect of ULRs contributing to advancing either workplace learning or union organization due to the constraints of neo-liberal state policy. An opposing view emphasizes union agency in developing a collective approach to learning and extended joint regulation through a process of critical engagement. This article presents analysis of data from the 2009 National Survey of ULRs, which finds a positive relationship between ULR activity and its impact in enhancing training outcomes, increasing union membership and the joint regulation of workplace learning. This supports arguments that agency of ULRs is not inevitably suppressed by the structural limitations of union learning.
ISSN:0950-0170
1469-8722
DOI:10.1177/0950017016630247