Union Democracy: A European Perspective

Abstract

This paper, written partly in response to Steven Ashby’s article for this journal, ‘Union Democracy in Today’s Labor Movement’, explores the meaning and practice of internal trade union democracy in Europe. Agreeing with many of Ashby’s arguments around the importance and desirability of union democracy, I consider the definition of union democracy, and the question of whether and why it matters. I then present some of the main dimensions of the national models of the main western European unions and how they affect the practice of union democracy. These dimensions include the formal decision-making structures, such as those regarding the setting of policy, the election of representatives, and the payment of dues. Other important aspects include the reliance on paid officials as opposed to lay members and elected officers, and the degree of centralisation or de-centralisation. Beyond this, there is the question of the relationship between unions within countries, whether there is a single national confederation or multiple confederations, and the degree to which they are cooperative or competitive. This part of the article highlights the many differences between trade unions in the United States and in the major European countries. Despite these differences, however, unions in many countries suffer from similar impediments to internal democracy and are seeking ways to build greater democracy. I conclude that unions on both sides of the Atlantic have much to learn from each other, and that internal union democracy can increase the dynamism and effectiveness of unions in their struggles with external forces.