23 mins, 2012        [password required] Key Topics Employees' Representatives Unions ACAS Statutory Rights Unionisation Negotiating How might employees have a say in the organisation for which they work? How important is the role of trade unions? INTRODUCTION 11 mins Employees make their voices heard in a company in many different ways - from employee co-operatives to works councils. But, generally, in most industries, trade unions play a key role. Historically trade unions have campaigned for their members' rights. But in the 1980s union power was severely curtailed after a clash with the government. What do unions do for their members today? What are the laws they have to work within? How might a union win statutory recognition in a company? And what's the role of ACAS? CASE STUDY 12 mins Blakeway boss Stephen Maynard plans to close one of his factories, throwing many employees out of work. Maynard isn't keen on unions and is horrified when a union gets in the way of his plans. Under the law, if the union gets enough people to vote for unionisation, they can win statutory recognition. Maynard is forced to negotiate. Can he still push through the factory closure? Will the union use industrial action to save people's jobs?

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