ABSTRACT
In a region famous for its lack of consensus, a united, secular trade union movement functions where divisions are deepest - among the working class. The efficient secret, and the secret inefficacy, of Northern Ireland trade unionism lies in mass non-active participation in the movement, and its dominance by a self-selecting elite committed to labourist values. This has given union leaders the freedom to adopt a studied neutrality on sensitive political questions and place a paramount emphasis on organizational interests.
