Chum Clubs (27/08/15)
The performance of trade unions in topical again as members in South Lanarkshire, for example, question whether their interests have been properly represented by local branch officials.
Now I wrote about the phenomenon of 'chum clubs' some time ago and my view is that all too often union branches and union hierarchies are highly unrepresentative and fail to reflect the much more diverse views of ordinary union members.
So it doesn't surprise me to learn that lots of union activists are rallying behind the campaign to elect Jeremy Corbyn as the next Labour leader, because these activists represent a tiny proportion of the wider union membership.
Just like Jeremy these individuals tend to be old-fashioned, left wing ideologues who treat politics like a form of religion which has unshakeable truths and certainties, as if the world can be broken down into 'them and us' 'goodies and baddies' in which trade unions play a noble and selfless role.
Yet as has been shown in the fight for equal pay this is a complete distortion of real events in Scotland where old fashioned, 'left wing' trade unions combined with old- fashioned, 'left wing' Labour councils to deny thousands of low paid women workers the new and fair deal they were promised under the 1999 Single Status (Equal Pay) Agreement.
Now I wrote about the phenomenon of 'chum clubs' some time ago and my view is that all too often union branches and union hierarchies are highly unrepresentative and fail to reflect the much more diverse views of ordinary union members.
So it doesn't surprise me to learn that lots of union activists are rallying behind the campaign to elect Jeremy Corbyn as the next Labour leader, because these activists represent a tiny proportion of the wider union membership.
Just like Jeremy these individuals tend to be old-fashioned, left wing ideologues who treat politics like a form of religion which has unshakeable truths and certainties, as if the world can be broken down into 'them and us' 'goodies and baddies' in which trade unions play a noble and selfless role.
Yet as has been shown in the fight for equal pay this is a complete distortion of real events in Scotland where old fashioned, 'left wing' trade unions combined with old- fashioned, 'left wing' Labour councils to deny thousands of low paid women workers the new and fair deal they were promised under the 1999 Single Status (Equal Pay) Agreement.
Chum Clubs (14 November 2014)
Here's a post from the blog site archive about the tendency for trade union branches to turn into 'chum clubs', where the same small handful of people run the show, for years and years, while claiming that they represent and speak on behalf of a much wider group of members.
Now the normal defence of a 'chum club' faced with such a charge is that their doors are open to everyone and it's not their fault if people can't be bothered to turn up and take part in their activities.
So, if the bulk of people don't show up don't stand for election or bother to vote, then why should the 'chum club' be criticised for the apathy or disinterest of the wider membership.
And if that means the same tired old faces get elected to positions of authority time and again, then so what, at least the process is democratic and within the rules.
I would be the first to admit there's a kernel of truth in the 'so what' argument, but that's about as far as it goes because the difference between trade unions and other voluntary organisations is that they claim to speak with authority on behalf of their wider membership.
For example, there's no doubt that Len McCluskey was elected by a 'democratic' vote of Unite members, but in reality so few members took part in the leadership election that his claim to have a mandate to speak on behalf of 1.6 million union members looks rather ridiculous to say the very least.
"Well that's as may be, but don't single us out," says the chum club. "Because politicians get elected on low turnouts as well and no one argues about their legitimacy or ability to represent the wider electorate."
But that's not really true because politicians are always arguing about the fairness of electoral contests - the need to make it easier for people to vote and take part - postal votes spring to mind and the next big step surely ought to be secure voting by email and text.
In addition political elections have other important checks and balances, the obvious example being PR (Proportional Representation) which is designed to ensure that no single party can dominate elections, the safeguard is fair or at least fairer representation.
Whereas trade unions operate like Labour only 'closed shops' which means that a trade union like Unite recruits at a senior level only Labour supporting candidates - and under Len McCluskey's leadership the union appears to be interested only in promoting people who resemble Len McCluskey - broadly and politically speaking, of course.
So, if the bulk of people don't show up don't stand for election or bother to vote, then why should the 'chum club' be criticised for the apathy or disinterest of the wider membership.
And if that means the same tired old faces get elected to positions of authority time and again, then so what, at least the process is democratic and within the rules.
I would be the first to admit there's a kernel of truth in the 'so what' argument, but that's about as far as it goes because the difference between trade unions and other voluntary organisations is that they claim to speak with authority on behalf of their wider membership.
For example, there's no doubt that Len McCluskey was elected by a 'democratic' vote of Unite members, but in reality so few members took part in the leadership election that his claim to have a mandate to speak on behalf of 1.6 million union members looks rather ridiculous to say the very least.
"Well that's as may be, but don't single us out," says the chum club. "Because politicians get elected on low turnouts as well and no one argues about their legitimacy or ability to represent the wider electorate."
But that's not really true because politicians are always arguing about the fairness of electoral contests - the need to make it easier for people to vote and take part - postal votes spring to mind and the next big step surely ought to be secure voting by email and text.
In addition political elections have other important checks and balances, the obvious example being PR (Proportional Representation) which is designed to ensure that no single party can dominate elections, the safeguard is fair or at least fairer representation.
Whereas trade unions operate like Labour only 'closed shops' which means that a trade union like Unite recruits at a senior level only Labour supporting candidates - and under Len McCluskey's leadership the union appears to be interested only in promoting people who resemble Len McCluskey - broadly and politically speaking, of course.
