25
hope of independence as an ideal.
Their aspirations for their children
were, however, high; and they were prepared to make considerable
personal sacrifice in supporting them for post-primary education.
51. Income had been the biggest single factor in their job choice but
they regarded security and future prospects as in combination equally
important. They did not regard the presence of either relatives and friends or (significantly) trade union organisation as at all an
important consideration. Nevertheless, while they regarded most aspects of their job situation (with the notable exception of welfare benefits)
as "average" or "good", a clear majority thought union organisation was
poor or unsatisfactory.
52.
That they were far from being concerned with income alone is
illustrated by the fact that, of a number of alternative benefits to
higher wages, distinct majorities preferring greater security and more
social benefits. And where methods of remedying grievances or
difficulties in their living conditions or employment terms were
concerned, they emerged as strongly collectivist in attitude, preferring
(for instance) some kind of joint or representative action to either
individual initiative or (the remedies usually suggested as typical)
simply looking for another job or seeking family assistance.
-
However,
they remained scepitcal of trade unions as a resort over 40% preferred
action through direct workers' representatives, and one-fifth through
government legislation. Only one in our hundred factory workers
considered trade union bargaining as a practicable method of
improvement.
-
53. There is thus a certain contradiction in the factory workers'
attitudes which was displayed in other respects. They believed strongly,
for instance, that employers should be paternalistic and look after
their workers' interests; but over half of them considered employers to
be more concerned with their own profits, and a majority perceived a
conflict of interest between employers and workers. Similarly, they
split three ways in their general attitude to trade unions about equal
numbers supporting them in principle, opposing them, and professing
ignorance or indifference. But confronted with a list of functions
which unions might undertake, a greater number of workers than had
supported trade unions in principle were in favour of the latter
undertaking most of the activities mentioned including, curiously,
recruiting more members.
154.
The