Statistics

4. Statistics show that the reward for being a trade union member is a significant wage premium. Why are so many workers reluctant to join a trade union?

Notes and Guidelines

Introduction to include
-Mentioning the significance of trade union
-Establishing that there is a wage premium being a union member.
-Talking about the relationship with trade union.

Findings to include

-Talk about reasons behind union decline- Key factors in the context
-Reasons why people are reluctant to join labour unions.
-Examples of key reasons to include some of the following

1) *Lack of appeal among younger generations
2) Arrangements of members to form substitutes of unions for example EU working councils.
3) The rise in Human Resource Management dealing with worker/ Labour issues.
4) Compensation culture e.g. no win no fee tribunals
5) Economic reasons in terms of how unions are proving their work ( membership fees)
6) Partnership programmes for example John Lewis, no more participation but employee involvement and partnership is very high.
7) Laws getting better etc.
8) Argument- Why specific industry or sector has an increased union membership.
9) Why female membership has increased.

Assessment Marking Grid for Employee Relations.
The key skills to be developed in this assignment are writing skills, analytical and evaluative skills. Skills of synthesis are important.

ORGANISATION AND COHERENCE

• The study must be clearly structured and well presented.
• The introductions must state and aim and explicitly identify the relevant arguments and areas to be addressed,
• These areas, once identified must be followed up logically in the main body of the study.
• There must be a firm conclusion of the areas discussed.

CONTENT

• The contents must clearly relate to the area of study, and the learning outcomes being tested, and demonstrate originality and creativity.
• Knowledge and understanding must be applied to practice.
• Discussion of content indicates a thorough understanding of the topic
• Assessment Guidelines have been followed
CLARITY OF EXPRESSION

• Areas must be clearly expressed, articulate and fluent
• Accurate spelling and grammar.
LEVEL OF ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS

• There should be a clear critical analysis and synthesis of issues, which are well integrated and evaluated, as appropriate.
• Issues must be assessed fully with reference to appropriate literature
• Relevant solutions supported by a considered rationale must be suggested to solve the problems
USE OF LITERATURE AND QUALITY OF REFERENCING

• The study must demonstrate and appropriate use of academic literature/research, which is appropriate to the study.
• All key sources must be cited, and a consistent and accurate use of Harvard referencing system must be maintained.