ATTITUDES OF TRADE-UNION ACTIVISTS - SOME EVIDENCE ON THE THEORY OF WORKPLACE INCORPORATION

Using results from an empirical study of four trade union branches, evidence is presented to show that over time, activist attitudes towards management become more favourable, and views of rank and file members less favourable. These results are then supplemented by further information which explains why these attitude changes could have taken place. Finally, it is argued that the results give little support for the idea of incorporation and that changing attitude patterns were more indicative of bargaining relationships between activists and managers which had matured and become stronger with time. © 1991, BSA Publications Limited. All rights reserved.