Closing down a means of collective voice for workers : Victimisation of union activists in Britain’

Abstract

This article examines the incidence and nature of employer victimisation of labour union activists in Britain between 1998 and 2009. It finds that the incidence is higher than is expected, shows signs of rising, and is mainly to be found in the public sector. This is explained by a series of general and specific factors. Victimisation is then discussed in terms of its relationship to the reassertion of the managerial prerogative and the fate of pockets of assertive workplace unionism within the overall environment of weakened labour unionism.