The Impact of Majoritarianism on Minority Trade Union Functionality
The Impact of Majoritarianism on Minority Trade Union Functionality

Summary/Abstract: Trade unions are formed and joined as a direct result of the power and might that organizations possess, and this power is exercised by the management of organizations to ensure that they achieve their objectives. Trade unions therefore advance and protect the interests of their members, striving for improved employment conditions. Majoritarianism refers to a governance practice based on the majority rule, where dominant groups are awarded some type of supremacy in respect of decision-making processes. The present paper’s objective was to ascertain the impact of majoritarianism on the functionality of minority trade unions. To actualize this objective required the adoption of a qualitative phenomenological research design, utilizing semi-structured interviews as a data collection method. In total, twelve participants contributed to the research. The present study’s findings showed that the strict application of majoritarianism leads to minority unions having no voice in the workplace, where the minority unions and their members are discriminated against and treated unequally. This adversely impacts the effectiveness of minority unions, leading to a reduction of membership within these unions. It is recommended that organizational management adopt an objective and non-aligned stance to trade union relationships, where information is expansively shared with all trade unions, in addition to regular meetings with representatives of all trade unions.

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