Availability and its Effects

Abstract

In this chapter we shall continue the analysis of the availability of representation for different occupational groups, and look at several issues relating to situations that vary according to the pattern and type of available forms of representation. For the most part the analysis will be based on the whole (privately employed) sample, rather than on specific occupational sub-groups. This has the advantage of taking into account a wide range of situations in terms of employment and representation, as well as individual characteristics. While this means that differences between occupational groups may be missed it is worthwhile noting that occupational categories, as commonly defined, do not adequately reflect the structure of different employment experience. In an earlier study (Stewart et al., 1980) we carried out a detailed analysis of clerical workers, including their involvement in representative bodies, of a rather different sort from that pursued here. However, such an analysis would be unduly complex if applied to all of our sample, and would in any case miss certain of the effects that we are able to show. The results of the two kinds of analysis are very much in line with one another, but whereas the earlier book emphasised the stability of experience through career progression, the present one tends to pick out those factors, such as educational experience or first job, which are related to such progression, or perceptions and expectations of promotion directly.