ABSTRACT
The introductory chapter outlines the factors of influence that primarily shape trade union decision-making. The chapter places broad structural, ideational and agency explanations at the centre of explaining the actions of trade unions in a liberal market economy. Accordingly, the historical and theoretical literature in relation to Varieties of Capitalism (VoC) and the evolution of employment relations institutions in Britain will be succinctly presented. The chapter also introduces the literature in relation to trade union strategy, leadership, structure and ideology. Due to liberal economic measures enacted by successive Conservative Governments post-1979, the chapter traces the corresponding shift towards political action as a method of influencing the employment relations arena. The shift arose in conjunction with a progressively weaker institutional role in the Labour Party’s structures for affiliated trade unions. In this context, New Labour’s approach to employment relations through the language of social partnership is outlined. The chapter concludes by signposting the ability of trade unions in Britain—and across advanced industrialised economies—to positively influence employment relations through effective strategic action, despite the significant constraints which exist in a liberal market.
