Trade unions

The table presents a country’s trade union membership, measured in millions, from 2008 to 2011. What conclusion can be drawn about the country’s trade union membership during 2008 to 2011?

May/June 2015

Trade union membership is falling in some countries, yet it is rising in China. Workers’ industrial action is becoming more frequent in China, as workers are pushing for higher wages. A strike was recently held at a car factory in South China, which was owned by a Japanese multinational company.

May/June 2015

What would a trade union ordinarily be expected to provide for its members?

May/June 2016

A government brings in legislation intended to cut back the restrictive practices used by trade unions. What would be the most likely aim of this legislation?

May/June 2016

A trade union makes an agreement with employers in an industry about a ‘closed shop’ policy. What happens under this arrangement?

May/June 2016

In 2014, platinum miners in South Africa carried out the longest strike ever recorded. The action involved 70 000 miners from a total workforce of 200 000 in the sector. Among them were migrant workers from neighbouring countries, who had expanded the country’s labour force. The strike caused the world’s three largest platinum producing firms to lose US$1.4 billion and cut South Africa’s platinum exports.

May/June 2016

Which factor is most likely to be cited in support of a demand for higher wages in an industry?

May/June 2017

From 2009 to 2014, Delaware was the sole US state to record a drop in earnings. Even so, over the same period it had an unemployment rate lower than the national average and a larger share of workers who were members of a trade union. Over the next twenty years, the state is predicted to have one of the quickest ageing populations of any state in the USA.

May/June 2017

In what circumstances is a trade union likely to have greater power to raise its members’ wages?

May/June 2018

Which factor is most likely to strengthen a trade union’s case for higher wages in an industry?

May/June 2018

Relative to most other countries, Sweden has far higher trade union membership. In 2019, 70% of Swedish workers belonged to a trade union. Over 85% of workers in Sweden are employed in the tertiary sector, whereas only 2% work in the primary sector. Swedish workers spend their incomes on many different products, including some demerit goods such as sweets. Sweden ranks 7th in the world for per head consumption of sweets.

May/June 2022

Which factor would not improve a trade union’s bargaining power to secure higher wages?

May/June 2023

Which trade union activity is likely to benefit firms?

May/June 2023

What is one role of a trade union?

May/June 2025

A national trade union wants to raise the pay of its members without causing employment levels to fall. Which factor would assist the union in achieving this?

Oct/Nov 2015

In the United States (US) in 2011, 7.6 million public sector workers (36% of public sector workers) were members of trade unions, whereas only 7.1 million private sector workers (8% of private sector workers) were in a trade union. What conclusion can be drawn from this information?

Oct/Nov 2015

From 2011 to 2012, the number of workers employed in Egypt’s public sector rose sharply. Egyptian trade unions that speak for public-sector labour welcomed the rise. However, stronger trade unions could create inflation, which might then lead to unemployment.

Oct/Nov 2015

What could be one disadvantage for a trade union when it is negotiating a rise in its members’ pay?

Oct/Nov 2016

What factor could strengthen a trade union’s ability to secure a wage increase for its members in a coat factory?

Oct/Nov 2016

In March 2014, teachers in Argentina went on strike because their unions could not agree wage rates. The government proposed a $25\%$ pay rise, but the unions wanted an increase that was above the country’s $32\%$ inflation rate. The government argued that very large pay rises would lead to unemployment. It also said the economy’s outlook would shortly strengthen because it had devalued the country’s exchange rate at the beginning of the year.

Oct/Nov 2016

In June 2015, trade unions in Argentina pushed for higher wages and lower taxes. In addition to the pressure for bigger wages, the economy was also dealing with several other problems. It was trying to encourage the creation of public limited companies and economic growth.

Oct/Nov 2017

What factors would give a trade union a strong bargaining position when negotiating higher wages for its members at a specific firm?

Oct/Nov 2018

A trade union is able to increase the wages paid in an industry to a level higher than the prevailing equilibrium wage. How would the demand and supply of labour change?

Oct/Nov 2019

Which activity is not one of a trade union’s functions?

Oct/Nov 2020

Employees in a country have been worried that their wages are not rising as fast as inflation. How can trade unions help workers obtain a pay increase?

Oct/Nov 2024

The Peruvian government is facing pressure from its industries to upgrade the nation’s transport network. Tourism is Peru’s third-largest industry. The Peruvian tourism industry contains many firms. Fruit farming is another important industry in Peru. In recent years, trade union membership in Peru’s fruit-farming industry has risen.

Oct/Nov 2024

In what ways could a trade union strengthen its bargaining power?

Oct/Nov 2025

What factor would strengthen a trade union?

Oct/Nov 2025