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The dynamics of positive action in UK trade unions: the case of women and black members
Author(s) -
Kirton Gill,
Greene Annemarie
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
industrial relations journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.525
H-Index - 3
eISSN - 1468-2338
pISSN - 0019-8692
DOI - 10.1111/1468-2338.00226
Subject(s) - salient , representation (politics) , trade union , race (biology) , action (physics) , dynamics (music) , affirmative action , black women , political science , industrial action , labour economics , economics , gender studies , sociology , law , pedagogy , physics , quantum mechanics , politics
This paper considers positive action strategies amongst UK trade unions, aimed at increasing membership and levels of participation and representation among women and black workers. It provides an overview of women’s, black members’ and race structures within large Trades Union Congress unions and a detailed case study of one large UK trade union. We find that there are salient differences in the way that unions approach issues of gender equality, compared with the approach adopted towards race equality. The paper explores possible explanations, justifications and implications of these differences.