In May 1997, "new" Labour reversed its fortunes and came to power with the biggest majority this century (UK9704125F [1]). "New unionism" hopes to do the same by reversing the declining fortunes of the trade union movement over the past 19 years. "New" was the "buzz-word" of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) conference, held on 8-11 September 1997, and John Monks, the general secretary, set out the agenda for the conference - the unions' place in the new Britain: "Not just what we'd like to get, but where we can play a part. Not just what we want to see, but what we plan to do. And not just what we want others to give, but how we ourselves can contribute"[1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined-labour-market/the-industrial-relations-consequences-of-the-new-labour-government
In September 1997, John Monks, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), set out his vision of "new" unionism to the first TUC conference to be held under a Labour Government for 19 years.
In May 1997, "new" Labour reversed its fortunes and came to power with the biggest majority this century (UK9704125F). "New unionism" hopes to do the same by reversing the declining fortunes of the trade union movement over the past 19 years. "New" was the "buzz-word" of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) conference, held on 8-11 September 1997, and John Monks, the general secretary, set out the agenda for the conference - the unions' place in the new Britain: "Not just what we'd like to get, but where we can play a part. Not just what we want to see, but what we plan to do. And not just what we want others to give, but how we ourselves can contribute"
Mr Monks highlighted that this needed "new" thinking, "new" action and "new" unionism. He said that unions should be looking at new ways of recruitment and commitment, so that young people can begin to build a safe future at work. He said that the Government's "New Deal" (UK9709168N) would help young and long-term unemployed people into work and rescue a "lost" generation.
The general secretary was also keen to emphasise that a Labour Government means a completely new political world than that which existed under previous Conservative Governments. He praised the Government for ending the opt-out from the EU Treaty's "social chapter", for launching the Low Pay Commission to look at a national minimum wage (UK9708158N), and for promising a White Paper on fairness at work. Mr Monks said that these were big steps by the Government but emphasised that the unions and the Government had very different jobs to do and that if they did not disagree with each other at times, they would not be doing their jobs properly.
To the employers, Mr Monks said that the TUC would be pushing for a new way forward which would include partnership, long-term investment and employment security. He said that the unions realised that employers need maximum flexibility in order to compete, and that the TUC supported this but wanted a positive flexibility which gets rid of the old "hire-and-fire brigade" of employers.
Finally, Mr Monks said that the TUC now stands ready for a national dialogue with government and employers, and to join old union traditions with new European-style social protection.
Eurofound doporučuje citovat tuto publikaci následujícím způsobem.
Eurofound (1997), John Monks outlines new unionism, article.
