fhe Fabian Society has published a study of the changes which have taken place in the trade union movement in recent yearse The pamphlet, by John Hughes, is the result of over 18 months discussion iby the V Fabian Society's trade union group. The latter, under the chairmanship of Charles Smith, general secretary of the Post Office Mngineering Union, is composed of trade union officials, university lecturers, and M.P.s. The stable T.U.C. membership conceals dramatic changes of membership in individual unions varying from an inexease of 28% in the membership of the Clerical Workers, over the past 5 years, to a decrease of 29% in the Locomotive Engineers'. John Hughes believes that when the contracting industries have reached their limit of contraction there will be a large upsurge in T.U.C. membership, Union organisation has been undergoi ; sweeping changes with more and more members being organised by individual unions on an industrial basis instead of a geographical one. Other develop-= ments he notes ares the installation of computers by the Draughtsmen and the Engineers, an improvement in trade union magazines (with professional journalis..s being employed in some cases), the increasing use made by unions of their research departments, etc.
The author concludes by saying that he believes that this evidence, which shows that the trade unions are meeting the challenge of the times, gives everyone hope for the future. The pamphlet, entitled Change in the Trade Unions, may be obtained from the Fabian Society, 11, Dartmouth Ste, London S.W. 1.e, price 3/9 post paid.