Increment of collective bargaining powers of UK trade unions
Increasing the collective bargaining powers of UK trade unions under the constraints of the Trade Union Act 2016
The research process
The impact case began late 2018 and is led by James Richards and Vaughan Ellis of Edinburgh Napier University. The work so far includes the development of documents and videos designed to advise trade union organisers on how to maximise voting levels in statutory ballots. A range of practical workshops on such matters have been organised, with key findings also presented at a range of practitioner and academic conferences. Academic outputs so far include a practice-based article for a higher education journal and a paper currently under review (March 2021) with a HRM journal. The work has attracted awards from UCU and the STUC.
Accomplishments
The research has achieved a range of early, key, bargaining impacts, e.g., allowing trade unions to achieve negotiated agreements on job security. The research has led to known positive bargaining outcomes at the following institutions: University of Brighton (UCU), Edinburgh Napier University (Unison), Queen Margaret University (UCU), Heriot-Watt University (UCU). Impact is expected from a range of current disputes (March 2021) at: Goldsmiths University (UCU), Birmingham City University (UCU), University of East London (UCU), University of Central Lancashire (UCU), Scottish further education sector (EIS/FELA).
Dr James Richard
James Richard is an Associate Professor in Human Resource Management. James’ key areas of specialization are aimed at improving the employment and bargaining prospects for a range of variously marginalized and difficult to organise groups.
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