ABSTRACT

On the one hand, trade unions are voluntary unincorporated associations and so belong to the same legal category as, for example, tennis clubs, and their leaders have from time to time claimed for them the same unhampered control over their own affairs as a tennis club. On the other hand, in reality, there are considerable differences between trade unions and tennis clubs; trade unions wield considerable political and economic influence; their decisions have considerable impact on the working life of British people and trade union membership may be an important factor in securing access to or retaining a job. Trade union representatives sit on commissions, committees and tribunals; the effect of collective bargaining is sometimes socially indistinguishable from legislation; unions participate in the making of rules and norms which affect a large proportion of the population.