The recognition process in white-collar trade unionism.

This study attempts to analyse the process of union recognition within manufacturing firm in particular the research focuses upon those factors which contribute to the unionisation of white-collar workers and which create the circumstances in which union recognition itself takes place. The aim of this approach is to produce an analytical model of the union recognition process. It is hoped that such a model can be used by inrfustrial relations practitioners as a guide to understanding what happens within their own companies basically the model examines the recognition process at three levels or stages primary, development, and negotiation. Tech stage is characterised by certain changes in the existing pattern of employer/staff relationships which either hinder or promote the development of unionisation within firms.The major components of the model include the influence of staff associations, managerial control systems, and the impact of union recruitment strategies. Much of the research data is derived from factual sources. Those include case-studios from manufacturing firms, interviews with trade union officers, postal mate, and interviews with white-collar workers. The study helps to fill a gap in existing industrial relations literature, where research has tended to focus upon overall pattern of white-collar unionism rather than on the organisational problems faced by individual firms.