ABSTRACT
This chapter builds on the analysis of union involvement in the development of CP in Chapter 3 by examining the role of unions in the operation of workplace partnership in Aer Rianta, and the effects of partnership on unions and their members. As outlined in Chapter 1, the academic literature on unions and workplace partnership is sharply polarized between the positions of ‘advocates’ and ‘critics’. These rival groups present different views as to the nature of trade union engagement with workplace partnership and as to the effects of partnership on unions, union activists and union members. Cross-cutting the debate between advocates and critics is a second keen debate focusing on the effects of workplace partnership on relations within unions between full-time officials and senior shop stewards on the one hand and union activists and rank-and-file members on the other. These two themes provide the analytical focus for this chapter and will be considered in the next two sections.
