14th Annual NERI Labour Market Conference - Session 3A - Collective Bargaining - Dr.Tom Turner

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The presentation provides valuable empirical data on trade union density in Ireland, using the Labour Force Survey, a robust national dataset. The argument that union density decline is primarily due to labour market growth and the influx of non-national workers is well-supported by the data. However, the analysis is preliminary and lacks in-depth exploration of causal mechanisms or potential solutions. The speaker acknowledges limitations, such as potential underestimation of immigrant workers, which adds credibility but also indicates uncertainty.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The presentation relies on official Labour Force Survey data from the CSO, which is a reliable source, though the speaker notes potential underestimation. The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on collective bargaining and trade unions in Ireland. The presentation is part of an academic conference, suggesting a certain level of rigor, but it is not peer-reviewed. No external sources are cited beyond the conference presentation link.

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on collective bargaining and trade unions in Ireland, specifically addressing the challenges of attracting immigrant workers.

6/10

Presentation based on official Labour Force Survey data (CSO) with a large sample, but the speaker acknowledges potential underestimation of immigrant workers and the analysis is preliminary, lacking peer review.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction and overview of the presentation on immigrants and trade unions.
• 01:00Discussion of the dramatic increase in non-national workers in Ireland, now 27.5% of the labour market.
• 02:00Explanation of the data source: Labour Force Survey, with a sample of 26,000 households.
• 03:00Acknowledgment of potential underestimation of immigrant workers in the survey.
• 04:00Presentation of key findings: union membership stable, but density declined due to labour market growth.
• 05:00Comparison of union density for nationals (28%) and non-nationals (9%) in 2025.
• 06:00Focus on private sector: density dropped from 29% in 2003 to 14% in 2025.
• 07:00Discussion of high turnover among immigrant workers, with over 300,000 leaving annually.
• 08:00Clarification that asylum seekers make up only 6% of non-national workers, minimal impact.
• 09:00Conclusion: unions maintained membership but failed to organize immigrants, leading to density decline.

• 14th Annual NERI Labour Market Conference - Presentations — Link provided in the video description for the presentation slides and related materials.

• Working in Ireland (UCD) — Mentioned as another national survey on trade union membership, showing similar density levels.