ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with our account of the genesis of modern trade union thought by considering the work of Weber and Marx and the contribution of each to the debates on the relationship between social inequality and trade unionism. Turning more specifically to examine the connection between power, social inequality and trade unionism involves abstraction from a broad ranging literature which presents many obstacles to lucid and coherent summary. In so far as social stratification and trade unions were concerned, Weber's understanding of status also has been evident in later studies of trade unionism. The fundamental premise of recent contributions from the radical school has been based, therefore, on a conception of the saliency of power in the relationships within trade unions and in their interaction with employers and the agencies of the state and the legislature.
