The statutory rights conferred on trade union learning representatives (ULRs) under the 2002 Employment Act represent a significant development for the British trade union movement.This article presents an initial empirical assessment of the ULR initiative, drawing from original quantitative and...

This paper explores variations in the pattern of colliery level industrial relations following the privatization of British Coal in four pits operated by the largest coal mining company in the UK. Differences are explained in terms of the competing institutions representing mineworkers and, most...

Looks at developments of industrial relations, employment conditions, corporate restructuring, and health and safety issues in the offshore sector during the period 1999-2003. Considers in how far ILO standards, notably those regarding freedom of association, consultation and communication, are...

The emergence of the union learning agenda under the New Labour variant of neo-liberalism has produced a debate on the appropriateness of union involvement in this arena of activity. The incorporation thesis argues that unions merely implement policy over which they have had little influence....