Some historical context may be useful here, Gerard. The reality is that, while many workplaces aren't unionized in North America, there are also many workplaces where there is serious competition between two or more unions to represent the same employees. In many parts of Canada and the U.S., the issue of recognition mainly relates to the employer not being obliged to recognize a specific union that has not received support from 50% or more of the staff; in fact, in some locations employers may only recognize unions that receive greater than 50% staff support.
It may not be something that is commonly seen in Europe, but I personally have observed truly shocking behaviour (threats, harassment, shunning in the workplace, etc.) on the part of trade unions that are competing to unionize the same employees. This is more commonplace when two companies are merging to form a single new company if the employees had different unions at the predecessor companies. And in many parts of North America, we have seen companies shut down unionized branches and expand non-unionized branches. Less than 12% of the United States workforce is unionized; it is not as enculturated in the US as it is in Europe.
None of this has any bearing whatsoever on the Wikimedia Foundation; I have no doubt it would follow the applicable legislation should the employees wish to unionize.
Risker/Anne
On 9 March 2016 at 08:12, Gerard Meijssen gerard.meijssen@gmail.com wrote:
Hoi, It is a travesty when it is up to an employer to recognise a trade union. The question is very much what is implied by such a recognition. It may be cultural but I would consider the WMF seriously flawed when it is not willing to recognise the right of employees to be organised.
A trade union often provides legal aid when necessary and no way in hell should a company be allowed to interfere in this. Thanks, GerardN
On 9 March 2016 at 13:06, Andy Mabbett andy@pigsonthewing.org.uk wrote:
On 9 March 2016 at 09:50, Derek V.Giroulle derekvgiroulle@wikimedia.be wrote:
Wikimedia UK does have anything to say about unions its employees are
free
to join a union
The issue is not whether anyone "is allowed to join" a trade union; but whether that trade union is recognised by the employer.
-- Andy Mabbett @pigsonthewing http://pigsonthewing.org.uk
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