Trade Unions in Great Britain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Trade Unions in Great Britain - Essay Example Thus, by the end of 2005 the number of those, who take part in the activity of British trade unions, has reduced from 14 to 8 million people. One of the main reasons for such sharp reduction was in the fact, that British workers didn't see any benefits of collective representation. If the numbers of trade unions members are compared, it will be seen that 35.5% of the UK workers were trade unions members in 1993, while their number has declined to almost 28.8% in 2004. (Howe, 2004) This decline is reflected through both absolute numbers and relative percentage of the labour force, presented in the private sector. The number of those, who participate in trade unions in public sector, has nominally increased due to the general increase of this sector labour force, but as a percentage this membership has also fallen. The general profile of trade union members has also changed during this period, with women leaving them and middle-income earners becoming the main force of trade unions now adays. The main reason for the constant decline in the trade union membership in the UK lies in general decline of the 'manufacturing base within the UK and the fragmentation of the workplace, linked to outsourcing and private sector influence in the public sector' (Beaumont, 1992) The bigger portion of those, who are occupied in private sector, has refused from such membership, seeing no use and no protection in trade unions' activity, with 58.8% of public sector workers being members of trade unions at present time. The total number of days devoted to strikes has also reduced, which is connected with the fact, that trade unions prefer devoting less time to strikes, but solving the major problems, without going into details. It is also forecast, that the amount of time, devoted to the strikes, and thus to breaks in working process, will continue to decrease. Speaking about the other reasons membership decline, the following reasons should be taken into account: - a considerable portion of those who represent labour force in the UK is constituted by migrants, who look for jobs on temporary basis and thus have the following reasons not to join the unions: a. the temporary nature of jobs these people prevents them from joining any trade union on the constant basis; b. such workers mostly work for the agencies, and not directly for their employers, which also prevents them from joining a trade union; c. the wages these workers earn are often so low, that the subscriptions they have to pay appear to be excessive for them. Migrants often move from one factory to another and thus they are difficult to be organized. Moreover, together with those, who work on a constant basis, they become very skeptical as for the possible positive role of trade unions in their employment relations. (Howe, 2004) Thus, it is clear that nowadays workers underestimate the role of trade unions in protecting their rights, refusing from membership. As Gall (1994) writes, 'Unions are painfully aware of the need to recruit new and younger members to reverse the decline in membership that has continued for over a decade. The changing nature of the workplace, with a decline in manufacturing and an increasingly fragmented and globalized workforce, is creating difficulties for trade unions which they are finding hard to meet. The sustained declining trend is a little surprising given legislation passed in recent years

A movie of social relevance - Sigwa Essay Example for Free

A movie of social relevance Sigwa Essay Sigwa began with Dolly (Dawn Zulueta, Megan Young) returning to the Philippines to look for her long lost daughter. She was a Filipino-American journalist sent to the Philippines in the 1970’s to write about the rising social unrest at that time. But later, she found herself being recruited to the revolutionary and underground youth group Kabataang Makabayan. While looking for her daughter, Dolly is also reunited with her fellow comrades, almost 40 years since they last saw each other. They were Rading (Jaime Pebanco, Jay Aquitania) an urban poor out-of-school-youth activist, Oliver (Tirso Cruz III, Marvin Agustin) an arrested student activist who later became a presidential spokesman, Azon (Gina Alajar, Lovi Poe) who grew frail and weak caused by the trauma of the rape when she was arrested, and Cita (Zsa Zsa Padilla, Pauleen Luna), once a student activist now a leader of the New People’s Army. Sigwa was simply amazing. The cast was great as well as their portrayal of their roles. It seemed so real. After watching Sigwa, I have realized that the movie provided more than just a retrospect of Philippine history. It also brought me back to the First Quarter Storm of the year 1970, where I have witnessed Martial Law through the lives led by six young activists. It is more than just a commemorative film: it had relived the tempest of our country’s history and allowed us to reflect about its significance in the present. Sigwa gave us only a glimpse of how the Filipinos in the past have struggled to attain democracy, to relive the history of the Filipinos struggle against Martial Law, and to show our continuing aspiration for democracy, peace and justice. And yet through the movie, I had reflected from the country’s history how we continuously try to reach total democracy today; that the recurring problems about democracy that we are facing today are also the same in the past; watching the movie enlightened me more about the Martial Law and the events that took place during the First Quarter Storm.

Essay on Eating Disorder - Why Did American Teenagers Stop Eating? :: Argumentative Persuasive Essays

Why Did American Teenagers Stop Eating? Why have American teenagers stopped eating healthy? The American people have not stopped dressing, playing sports, working, or traveling, so why did they stop eating healthy? Is it because American teenagers today have grown up with junk food that they do not know how to eat healthy? Maybe it is because Americans are so involved with many other activities that they cannot find the time to eat a decent meal. Whatever the specific reason may be, American teenagers have stopped eating healthy and something needs to be done. This paper examines the reasons as to why American teenagers have stopped eating healthy, but first it explains some reasons as to why teenagers eat so unhealthy. It is not enough to simply say that American teenagers have unhealthy eating habits. Although the eating habits vary from teenager to teenager, that is to say some eat too much while others eat too little, the general reasons as to why this fact is true needs to be examined and should be understood by everyone. Teenagers are unhealthy eaters because they eat to free themselves from boredom, they go out to eat to have a fun at night, and they eat because food is always available to them one way or the other. Some teenagers do not eat enough and when they do eat they eat junk food because it tastes better than "healthy" food. Truly, teenagers are not healthy eaters. Few people besides nutritionists and dietitians are aware of the reasons as to why the American people have such horrible eating habits. One reason as to why teenagers are unhealthy eaters is that eating provides something for them to do when they are bored. Eating while doing homework helps keep teenagers focused and awake so that they can get their homework done in a timely manner. Keeping their mouth occupied with food will stop them from talking to others around them. People who like what they are eating will most likely keep on eating and hold off on a conversation. If teenagers just watched television while doing homework, they would most likely watch the television screen rather than do their homework.

The Definition of Success :: Definition Essays

The Definition of Success 'One has achieved success who has lived well and laughed often.'; This quote seems to sum up what is meant by success. If you are able to laugh often and much then you have definitely achieved happiness. The idea of living well, though, is a very broad statement. In order, then, to define success in relation to this statement, we must first define what it means to live well. There are three levels of success, in my opinion: societal success, personal success, and academic or professional success. If someone can achieve all of these three levels of success, they are someone who has lived well.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Societal success is something that is attained by aspiring to reach your own goals and dreams in cohorts with the goals that society has for us. Societal success also has a lot to do with the natural tendencies we as humans posses. The typical societal goals that we would naturally have for ourselves would be to meet someone, fall in love and get married. We are also apt to identify having good friends with having achieved socially. We have achieved societal success, typically, if we have met the right person, lived happily, started a family and raised our children well. A part of societal success is also to learn to treat people well; to practice the 'golden rule.'; We need to fill these goals that society has for us and attempt to achieve societal success in order to fill our need to belong to society and fit in as an every day, functioning member of society. We also realize the personal goals and dreams that we set for ourselves in this pursuit of conformity. A chieving this civic success, as you might call it, is only a small part of our venture to living well.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Personal success is also a big part of living well. 'There is only one success . . . to be able to spend your life in your own way, and not to give others absurd maddening claims upon it.'; This quote by Christopher Morley describes what is really meant by personal success. Personal success has to do with being happy. One can only be truly happy if they are happy and secure with themselves. Personal success is about being yourself and not being afraid to do so. It is about not letting others dictate your life or make you feel that you have to change who you are.

In All my sons, characters often invoke money as a reason for relinquishing ideals or hopes

In All my sons, characters often invoke money as a reason for relinquishing ideals or hopes. Comment on this statement with reference to the play. All My Sons was Arthur Miller's first commercially successful play, and opened at the Coronet Theatre in New York on January, 29 1947. It ran for 328 performances and garnered important critical acclaim for the dramatist, winning him the prestigious New York Drama Critics' Circle Award.† Through All my Sons, the playwright suggests the ethnical failings of the ‘American dream'. He indicates the flaw with a merely economic interpretation of the American Dream as business success alone. Miller's play also represents the failings of a capitalist society, who are willing to sacrifice idealism for economic stability. Miller not only critiques the inability of humans to make moral decisions, but a system that would encourage profit and greed at the expense of human life and happiness. Joe Keller, the protagonist of the play, is a character that has strived to achieve the American dream, and the material comforts offered by modern American life. He interprets the American Dream as merely business success alone, and in his pursuit of it, relinquishes other parts of the so-called Dream. He sacrifices his human decency and a successful family life when he issues the order for the sale of sub-standard cylinder heads. However Keller can live with his actions because he believes through the selling of the faulty plane parts, he has maintained economic stability (by keeping the business alive) and secured a successful future for his son Chris, ‘I did it for you Chris, the whole dam shooting match was for you'. He has, In short, sacrificed his lifelong hopes of achieving the American dream purely for monetary success. It could also be argued that Keller sacrificed Steve, his business partner in order for the business to stay afloat. By blaming Steve for the issuing of the cylinder heads, the business was not shut down, which would have cost Joe and his family, everything. Similarly, Larry's suicide was as a result of Keller selling the faulty parts, so indirectly, he has sacrificed his son for simple economic stability. Chris Keller is described by other characters through out the play as an idealist, although we do not see this trait in action aside from his angry response to the wartime profiteering. Yet the others define him by his idealism, setting him apart as a man of scruples. However, like many of the characters he sacrifices these principles and ideals, in his case not for money, but for the cause of practicality when he is faced with the prospect of sending his father to jail, ‘I can't send that animal away'. He also sacrifices his marital prospects with Annie, because he believes that his father's crime will ruin their relationship, ‘I'm sorry Annie†¦but it will always be there.' This abandonment of his hopes makes us question if idealism is sustainable in a fallen, complex world? If ideals must be sacrificed, is there any supervening principle to help us decide which ideals should be sacrificed in which circumstances? George Deever is the son of Steve, Joe Keller's imprisoned business partner. George lived next door to the Keller's as a child and also represents a character that sacrificed his ideals for money. His abandonment of his hometown for big city success to become a lawyer prevented him from marrying Lydia, ‘She's a genius! You should've married her.' Lydia is now married to Frank, and has three children by him, and is no longer available to George as a result of his monetary pursuits. Dr. Jim Bayliss is the next door neighbour of Joe Keller. Jim has also succumbed to the pressures of financial success, though only through the influence of his wife, Sue. There is a rift in their marriage over Dr. Bayliss's desire to do unprofitable research in the Caribbean, because his wife wants him to make more money instead of do what he enjoys and what will help others. ‘Research pays twenty-five dollars a week minus laundering the hair shirt. You've got to give up your life to go into it.' This further illustrates the attitude towards money that Miller's characters possess. In conclusion, Miller's depiction of modern day America demonstrates his belief that people no longer understand the obligation to society as a whole. The American dream has become a pursuit of material prosperity, and the inability of people to sacrifice monetary success to follow their dreams is as a result of a society which encourages selfishness. Miller utilizes Keller as the medium to represent the sector of working class citizens set on financial accomplishment. However, Keller's sacrifice at the end of the play might symbolise Miller's determination to believe that society as a whole can re-evaluate our principles, and understand there are more important things than money.

Free Essays on Mary Shelley

The Romantic Age (1780-1830) was a time when writers’ ideas went from those of the Age of Reason to more imaginative ideas. These ideas were changed throughout this time for many reasons, including the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution in England, and the many other things that affected the society. A great example of the use of imagination was a by called Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a great writer of the Romantic Age. Born on August 30, 1797, Mary Shelley seemed like she was meant for greatness. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, who was a liberal thinker and radical feminist, passed away 10 days after her birth, leaving her and her half sister to be cared by her father, William Godwin. Her father married their neighbor, Mary Jane Clairmont, who was a widow and had two children of her own. Shelley began her writing when she was very young, and she was observing many other writers becoming interested in what they were doing. She was inspired to write the famous novel Frankenstein in the summer of 1819, after she met with Lord Byron and he recommended that she try writing her own ghost story. A few nights later Mary had a dream and explained it by saying: Night waned upon this talk; and even the witching hour had gone by before we retired to rest. When I placed my head on the pillow I did not sleep, nor could I be said to think. My imagination, unbidden, possessed and guided me, gifting the successive images that arose in my mind with a vividness far beyond the normal bounds of reverie. I saw- with eyes shut but acute mental vision- I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had to put together. (Shelley) Fitting perfect with the ideas of her time, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was a book which required much imagination in order for it to be written. Based on her dream, Shelley developed one of the greatest stories of all time. As with many good stories, the story of Frankenste... Free Essays on Mary Shelley Free Essays on Mary Shelley The Romantic Age (1780-1830) was a time when writers’ ideas went from those of the Age of Reason to more imaginative ideas. These ideas were changed throughout this time for many reasons, including the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution in England, and the many other things that affected the society. A great example of the use of imagination was a by called Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a great writer of the Romantic Age. Born on August 30, 1797, Mary Shelley seemed like she was meant for greatness. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, who was a liberal thinker and radical feminist, passed away 10 days after her birth, leaving her and her half sister to be cared by her father, William Godwin. Her father married their neighbor, Mary Jane Clairmont, who was a widow and had two children of her own. Shelley began her writing when she was very young, and she was observing many other writers becoming interested in what they were doing. She was inspired to write the famous novel Frankenstein in the summer of 1819, after she met with Lord Byron and he recommended that she try writing her own ghost story. A few nights later Mary had a dream and explained it by saying: Night waned upon this talk; and even the witching hour had gone by before we retired to rest. When I placed my head on the pillow I did not sleep, nor could I be said to think. My imagination, unbidden, possessed and guided me, gifting the successive images that arose in my mind with a vividness far beyond the normal bounds of reverie. I saw- with eyes shut but acute mental vision- I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had to put together. (Shelley) Fitting perfect with the ideas of her time, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was a book which required much imagination in order for it to be written. Based on her dream, Shelley developed one of the greatest stories of all time. As with many good stories, the story of Frankenste... Free Essays on Mary Shelley Mary Shelley The Romantic Age (1780-1830) was a time when writers’ ideas went from those of the Age of Reason to more imaginative ideas. These ideas were changed throughout this time for many reasons, including the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution in England, and the many other things that affected the society. A great example of the use of imagination was a by called Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a great writer of the Romantic Age. Born on August 30, 1797, Mary Shelley seemed like she was meant for greatness. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, who was a liberal thinker and radical feminist, passed away 10 days after her birth, leaving her and her half sister to be cared by her father, William Godwin. Her father married their neighbor, Mary Jane Clairmont, who was a widow and had two children of her own. Shelley began her writing when she was very young, and she was observing many other writers becoming interested in what they were doing. She was inspired to write the famous novel Frankenstein in the summer of 1819, after she met with Lord Byron and he recommended that she try writing her own ghost story. A few nights later Mary had a dream and explained it by saying: Night waned upon this talk; and even the witching hour had gone by before we retired to rest. When I placed my head on the pillow I did not sleep, nor could I be said to think. My imagination, unbidden, possessed and guided me, gifting the successive images that arose in my mind with a vividness far beyond the normal bounds of reverie. I saw- with eyes shut but acute mental vision- I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had to put together. (Shelley) Fitting perfect with the ideas of her time, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was a book which required much imagination in order for it to be written. Based on her dream, Shelley developed one of the greatest stories of all time. As with many good stories, the s...

Battle of the Basque Roads in the Napoleonic Wars

Battle of the Basque Roads in the Napoleonic Wars Battle of the Basque Roads - Conflict Dates: The Battle of the Basque Roads was fought April 11-13, 1809, during the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). Fleets Commanders British Admiral Lord James GambierCaptain Thomas Cochrane11 ships of the line, 7 frigates, 6 brigs, 2 bomb vessels French Vice Admiral Zacharie Allemand11 ships of the line, 4 frigates Battle of the Basque Roads - Background: In the wake of the Franco-Spanish defeat at Trafalgar in 1805, the remaining units of the French fleet were distributed among Brest, Lorient, and Basque Roads (La Rochelle/Rochefort). In these ports they were blockaded by the Royal Navy as the British sought to prevent them from getting to sea. On February 21, 1809, the ships of the Brest blockade were driven off station by a storm allowing Rear Admiral Jean-Baptiste Philibert Willaumez to escape with eight ships of the line. Though the Admiralty was initially concerned that Willaumez intended to cross the Atlantic, the French admiral instead turned south. Gathering up five ships that had slipped out of Lorient, Willaumez put into Basque Roads. Alerted to this development, the Admiralty dispatched Admiral Lord James Gambier, along with the bulk of the Channel Fleet, to the area. Establishing a strong blockade of Basque Roads, Gambier soon received orders ordering him to destroy the combined French fleet and directed him to consider using fire ships. A religious zealot who had spent much of the previous decade ashore, Gambier frowned on the use of fire ships stating them to be a horrible mode of warfare and un-Christian. Battle of the Basque Roads -Cochrane Arrives: Frustrated by Gambiers unwillingness to move forward with an attack on Basque Roads, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Mulgrave, summoned Captain Lord Thomas Cochrane to London. Having recently returned to Britain, Cochrane had established a record of successful and daring operations as a frigate commander in the Mediterranean. Meeting with Cochrane, Mulgrave asked the young captain to lead a fire ship attack into Basque Roads. Though concerned that more senior commanders would resent his appointment to the post, Cochrane agreed and sailed south aboard HMS Imperieuse (38 guns). Arriving at Basque Roads, Cochrane was warmly greeted by Gambier but found that the other more senior captains in the squadron were angered by his selection. Across the water, the French situation had recently changed with Vice Admiral Zacharie Allemand taking command. Assessing the dispositions of his ships, he moved them into a stronger defensive position by ordering them to form two lines just south of the Isle dAix. Here they were protected to west by the Boyart Shoal, forcing any attack to come from the northwest. As added defense, he ordered a boom constructed to guard this approach. Scouting the French position in Imperieuse, Cochrane advocated for immediately converting several transports into explosion and fire ships. A personal invention of Cochranes, the former were essentially fire ships packed with around 1,500 barrels of gunpowder, shot, and grenades. Though work moved forward on three explosion ships, Cochrane was forced to wait until twenty fire ships arrived on April 10. Meeting with Gambier, he called for an immediate attack that night. This request was denied much to Cochranes ire (Map) Battle of the Basque Roads - Cochrane Strikes: Spotting the fire ships offshore, Allemand ordered his ships of the line to strike topmasts and sails to reduced the amount of exposed flammable material. He also ordered a line of frigates to take position between the fleet and the boom as well as deployed a large number of small boats to tow away approaching fire ships. Despite having lost the element of surprise, Cochrane received permission to attack that night. To support the attack, he approached the French anchorage with Imperieuse and the frigates HMS Unicorn (32), HMS Pallas (32), and HMS Aigle (36). After nightfall, Cochrane led the attack forward in the largest explosion ship. His plan called for the use of two explosion ships to create fear and disorganization which was to be followed by an attack using the twenty fire ships. Sailing forward with three volunteers, Cochranes explosion ship and its companion breached the boom. Setting the fuse, they departed. Though his explosion ship detonated early, it and its companion caused great consternation and confusion among the French. Opening fire on the spots where the explosions occurred, the French fleet sent broadside after broadside into their own frigates. Returning to Imperieuse, Cochrane found the fire ship attack in disarray. Of the twenty, only four reached the French anchorage and they inflicted little material damage. Unknown to Cochrane, the French believed all of the approaching fire ships to be explosion ships and frantically slipped their cables in an effort to escape. Working against a strong wind and tide with limited sails, all but two of the French fleet ended up running aground before dawn. Though initially incensed by the failure of the fire ship attack, Cochrane was elated when he saw the results at dawn. Battle of the Basque Roads - Failure to Complete the Victory: At 5:48 AM, Cochrane signaled Gambier that the bulk of the French fleet was disabled and that the Channel Fleet should approach to complete the victory. Though this signal was acknowledged, the fleet remained offshore. Repeated signals from Cochrane failed to bring Gambier to action. Aware that high tide was at 3:09 PM and that the French could refloat and escape, Cochrane sought to force Gambier to enter the fray. Slipping into Basque Roads with Imperieuse, Cochrane quickly became engaged with three grounded French ships of the line. Signaling Gambier at 1:45 PM that he was in need of assistance, Cochrane was relieved to see two ships of the line and seven frigates approaching from the Channel Fleet. On seeing the approaching British ships, Calcutta (54) immediately surrendered to Cochrane. As the other British ships came into action, Aquilon (74) and Ville de Varsovie (80) surrendered around 5:30 PM. With the battle raging, Tonnerre (74) was set afire by its crew and exploded. Several smaller French vessels were also burned. As night fell, those French ships that had been refloated retreated to the mouth of the River Charente. When dawn broke, Cochrane sought to renew the fight, but was incensed to see that Gambier was recalling the ships. Despite efforts to convince them to remain, they departed. Alone again, he was preparing Imperieuse for an attack on Allemands flagship Ocean (118) when a succession of letters from Gambier forced him to return to the fleet. Battle of the Basque Roads -Aftermath: The last major naval action of the Napoleonic Wars, the Battle of the Basque Roads saw the Royal Navy destroy four French ships of the line and a frigate. Returning to the fleet, Cochrane pressed Gambier to renew the battle but instead was ordered to depart for Britain with dispatches detailing the action. Arriving, Cochrane was hailed as a hero and knighted, but remained furious over the lost opportunity to annihilate the French. A Member of Parliament, Cochrane informed Lord Mulgrave that he would not vote for a motion of thanks for Gambier. This proved career suicide as he was prevented from returning to sea. As word moved through the press that Gambier had failed to do his utmost he sought a court-martial to clear his name. In a rigged result, where key evidence was withheld and charts altered, he was acquitted.