WORKERS' PERCEPTION AND PARTICIPATION IN TRADE UNIONS : COMPARING BUS DRIVERS AND ELECTRONICS WORKERS IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Trade Unions came into being for the purpose of defending workers' rights and protecting their interests. By virtue of their strength in numbers and the resources they command, trade unions are influential bodies in the society and a force to be reckoned with However, the decline in union membership worldwide seem to signify their weakening influence and casts doubts on their continual relevance to workers. Given the importance of rank and file support, this study on workers' perceptions and participation in unions hopes to provide some useful insights on membership growth and its related problems. Using bus drivers and electronics workers as study subjects, the study also seeks to examine the impact of occupational differences on workers' perceptions and participation in unions. The research findings reveal that occupational differences in terms of work situation and job characteristics, have substantial impact on workers' perceptions and participation in unions. In addition, the dose affiliation between the government and the union (NTUC) appears to be a deterrent to membership recruitment. Demographic characteristics such as sex, age and marital status were also found to be important in explaining differences in union perception and participation. Despite the decline in union membership, trade unions as a collective voice of labour are still necessary in the society. However, as a body protecting workers' interests, its strength lies in its numbers and the commitment of its members. In view of declining union membership, much will have to be done to stall this trend. This study hopes to make a contribution towards this direction.