Library staff and trade unionism: a study of attitudes and influences

Abstract

The work context and the pattern and history of trade union representation in librarianship are explored. The literature on trade unionism and professionalism is reviewed with special reference to trade unionism and professionalism in library work. Twenty-four hypotheses are developed, concerning the reasons for library trade unionism, its character and its effects on libraries, and similar features in relation to professionalism. These hypotheses are reviewed in the light of an interview survey conducted in four polytechnic libraries. Among other conclusions, it is asserted that the high density of trade union membership and of membership of the Library Association is due mainly to environmental factors such as employer recognition rather than personal or job-related factors, that both unionism and professionalism have only modest effects on the staff and on the library, and that staff are aware of more potential incompatibility between trade union membership and professionalism than was expected. The library staff regards both their union and their professional association in much the same way: they want both bodies to be moderate and apolitical, and to concentrate on and be effective in relation to salaries, status and working conditions. (None of this work has previously been submitted for any other degree.)