This paper addresses the under-explored relationship between women's structures and union democracy and argues that … women's structural progress is mediated by an enduring gendered oligarchy and an associated struggle to access power … resources. It provides, first, an analysis over time of women's structures in UK unions, and second, a case-study analysis of …

Women's groups (WGs) provide a platform from which women can develop their strengths, advance their concerns and access …

The paper re-examines the question of why unions might have declined despite the 'influx' of women, their risk … share of women in workplaces. The paper ponders if better management of gender relations may improve unions' fate …