Lesson Starter

1. What are pressure groups?2. Why do pressure groups exist?3. Name one method used by

pressure groups.4. Give two examples of Pressure

Groups.

To understand the work of a trade union

Be familiar with the course content

Describe what a trade union is

Name the UK’s biggest trade union

Describe the work of a trade union

Understand why we have trade unions

By the end of the lesson you will be able to…

Over the next few periods we will be looking at:

• What are trade unions?• Why join a trade union?• Trade union actions• Role of a shop steward• Rights and responsibilities of a trade union• Participation in a trade union• National Minimum Wage• Inequalities amongst its members

Discussion What do you think people want from a job?

Look at the list below and put them in order of importance to your group. You must discuss the

options and given reasons for your choice.

CareerPay

Closeness to homeConditions at work

Work matesPerks

Job SecurityFriendly environment

Interesting Work

When someone gets a job, what determines how well or badly they get treated at work?

The law

The boss

What other employees do

The staff

Yourself

Should how people are treated at work depend on their status in a company? Give

reasons for your answer.

A trade union is a group of workers who, through representation from a leader, bargain with the employers on behalf of the rights of itsunion members

For example…

Many teachers at Scottish schools are members of the EIS union –

The Educational Institute of Scotland

Teachers talk to the EIS about things they areunhappy with at work eg. pay or conditions

The EIS would then speak on their behalf to their

employers to try and help them

There is usually a shop steward in each workplace who is the spokesperson of the union. Their responsibility is to speak on behalf of the workers.

There are many different types of unions representing workers from all different types of jobs eg. police, hospitals, actors, teachers, singers, hotel staff.

The biggest trade

union in the UK is

Unison represents workers from the public services eg. councils, hospitals, local government and schools

Unison has over members

• There are many other different trade unions in the UK which we will look at

• Can you work out in your groups who they represent?

Trade unions want to improve conditions for their members.

One worker on their own might find it difficult to persuade employers to pay higher wages or offer better conditions.

If they join together they have more influence and power. Trade unions negotiate on a wide range of issues.

Use this site to practise past papers

•http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/40664.html

There are many different reasons why trade unions exist. With your partner answer the questionnaire, discussing your answers. You have 8 minutes to complete this task. You can write your answers on the sheet.

You should now be able to…• Describe what a trade union is

• Name some of the trade unions in the

UK including the largest

• Describe the work of a trade union

• Understand why we have trade unions

Tomorrow we are going to look at the reasons why people choose to join a union and why some people don’t.