Mechanisms of Control in Local Trade Unions

A res project designed to describe aspects of the control process in local unions, & means through which members may exercise control. 4 local industrial type unions in Michigan were studied. Membership ranged from 350 to 850. In no case were officers paid. 2 types of data-(N=about 700) accumulated: (1) responses to questions in a p&p questionnaire, & (2) quotations from interviews with a small number of members. Control in a union may be exerted through the legislative, admin've, & sanctions phases. The relationship among these phases is often complex; diff persons may be differentially involved in the various phases. Union members view the control process in terms of issues that are important to them; some are regarded as crucial, others as less important. 72% agree that the membership has most to say on strike action; less than a majority believe the membership to have the most say on money expenditures or bargaining demands. Sanctions are most likely to be used by the members against those who fail to help out during a strike. Membership control may be maintained at a fairly high level without involvement in regular formal meetings through informal discussions, representational arrangements, ratification power, & the power of election & recall. J. E. Jacobi.