Trade Unions are Broken.
Strikes are back—but are unions negotiating the right way?
The Weekly Walkaway highlights negotiation in its ‘good’, ‘bad’ and sometimes ‘downright ugly’ forms. Issue No. 111 (2nd May 2025)
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We negotiate all of the time so it makes sense to get good at it. Invest in yourself.
Trade Unions are Broken.
Spoiler: It’s not just about the money.
Hey, happy Friday Walkawayers. It was so tempting to jump on the Ukraine US rare earth minerals deal but I promised I’d stay away from #Trump so lets talk Trade Unions instead.. sometimes just as toxic.
It’s a hot topic here in the UK and in the EU right now and in my oh so humble opinion.. there needs to be a change! They are broken, stuck in a militant 1970’s style of negotiation where if you want to win you’ll have to lower yourself to their level.. and they are experts down there so you’ll have to train up to be able to defend yourselves.. and then lift them, through your better negotiation skill and technique into the modern world..
Trade Unions are businesses. Fact!
Trade Unions are subscription-based businesses. Their very survival relies on members paying dues in exchange for advocacy, protection and a collective voice.
But here’s the kicker: as you’ll probably feel and see from the news; many unions are stuck in a time warp, focusing on pay disputes, militant activity and angry communication, while neglecting the deeper needs of their members.
Ai Summary
In 2025, UK trade unions are at a crossroads. Ongoing disputes—like the Birmingham bin strike and looming NHS and teacher walkouts—highlight a persistent focus on pay. Meanwhile, the EU is embracing a broader approach with its new Pact for European Social Dialogue, emphasizing trust, collaboration, and comprehensive worker well-being. If UK unions continue to prioritize short-term financial gains over holistic member success, they risk becoming relics of the past. Read on for more….
Negotiation: The Art That Unions Forgot
In 2025, the UK is witnessing a resurgence of industrial action. From NHS staff and teachers to bin workers and civil servants, the common thread is a breakdown in negotiations.
Now lets be clear. I will always advocate for fair compensation but…
Unions demand pay rises; the government cites budget constraints. The result? Strikes, stalemates, and a public caught in the crossfire.
But is this focus on pay truly serving union members?
Beyond the Wallet: What Do Workers Really Want?
Studies and surveys consistently show that while fair compensation is important, employees also value:
Respect and recognition;
Opportunities for growth and development;
Work-life balance and a sense of purpose.
Yet, these elements are often absent from union negotiations. Why?
Because they're harder to quantify, more complex to address and require a shift from adversarial tactics to collaborative dialogue. In most cases ‘they’ just don’t have the capability to negotiate anything but pay.. its less complex..
Now as many of you will know, if you negotiate over just one variable it throws you hard into the The Haggler persona on our Negotiation Compass and that means you can expect; cold, hard, dismissive and arrogant behaviours.. sound familiar?
Also.. negotiating the softer more important ‘things’ in life doesn’t grab headlines like a good pile of stinking rat infested rubbish.. and headlines means free marketing for the unions and free marketing means more members.. or does it?
Union membership, despite some small recent growth, remains significantly lower than its peak in 1970’s and the long-term trend, over my lifetime has seen a steady decline towards irrelevance.
We negotiate all of the time so it makes sense to get good at it. Invest in yourself.
The EU's Approach: A Lesson in Modern Negotiation
Across the Channel, the European Union is taking steps to modernise labour relations.
The proposed Pact for European Social Dialogue aims to enhance cooperation between employers and trade unions, focusing on broader issues like working conditions and employee well-being.
It's a move towards negotiations that reflect the multifaceted needs of today's workforce.
Look.. its not gonna be easy and yes, we all know how militant some of those Unions can be… we’ve all be held up in their traffic jams on holiday.
But at least they’ve started and for UK trade unions to remain relevant, effective and to survive (gain not lose paying members), they must follow suite and become more capable of negotiating a more modern agenda:
Broaden the Scope: Address issues beyond pay, such as workplace culture, mental health support, and career development;
Foster Collaboration: Engage in open dialogues with employers to find mutually beneficial solutions;
Rebuild Trust: Move away from militant posturing towards strategies that prioritize long-term relationships over short-term victories.
This will all take an investment in Training to equip their union representatives with skills fit for modern negotiations. This should include an overhaul of their techniques, emotional intelligence and means to conflict resolution.
If not they risk becoming irrelevant.
Conclusion
Success for trade unions shouldn't be measured solely by wage increases. Life is about so much more.. c.mon it’s not rocket science.
It should encompass the overall satisfaction and well-being of their members.
By evolving their negotiation strategies to reflect the complexities of the modern workplace, unions will truly serve their members and foster healthier, more productive work environments.
But, in my humble opinion.. they won’t. They are stuck in a 1970’s mindset banging their drum and driving an old and tired agenda with the same tactics and the same outcomes.. its so predictable.
So.. If you negotiate with unions you have better get capable of negotiating as well as them, the 1970’s militant style, and be able to control the agenda to drag them kicking and screaming into the modern world, 2025. Or else.. you’ll lower yourself to where they want you.. down in the 1970’s and they will win.. they are experts down there!
We negotiate all of the time so it makes sense to get good at it. Invest in yourself.
