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AQA GCSE · Question 07.3 · Rights and Responsibilities
SOURCE E:
Trade unions and employers' associations
• Employers' associations represent businesses and the people who own the businesses.
• Employers' associations aim to defend the profitability of their members' businesses.
• Employers' associations have historic links to the Conservative Party. These associations play no role in electing the leader of the Conservative Party.
• Employers' associations may lobby government. These associations try to achieve their aims through influence.
QUESTION:
Describe two ways trade unions are different to employers' associations.
You should refer to Source E in your answer.
SOURCE E:
Trade unions and employers' associations
• Employers' associations represent businesses and the people who own the businesses.
• Employers' associations aim to defend the profitability of their members' businesses.
• Employers' associations have historic links to the Conservative Party. These associations play no role in electing the leader of the Conservative Party.
• Employers' associations may lobby government. These associations try to achieve their aims through influence.
QUESTION:
Describe two ways trade unions are different to employers' associations.
You should refer to Source E in your answer.
How to approach this question
Read Source E to understand the features of employers' associations. For each point, think about what the equivalent is for a trade union. For example, the source says who employers' associations represent; who do trade unions represent? The source states their aim; what is the aim of a trade union? Formulate two distinct points of comparison.
Full Answer
One difference is who they represent. Source E states that 'Employers' associations represent businesses and the people who own the businesses'. In contrast, trade unions represent the workers or employees within those businesses.
Another difference is their primary aim. The source says employers' associations 'aim to defend the profitability of their members' businesses'. The primary aim of a trade union, on the other hand, is to defend and improve the pay and working conditions of its worker members, which can sometimes conflict with maximising profitability.
This question requires you to use the source about employers' associations and your own knowledge about trade unions to draw comparisons. The key differences are:
- **Who they represent:** Employers vs. Employees.
- **Aims:** Profitability vs. Pay and Conditions.
- **Political Links:** The source mentions links to the Conservative Party for employers' associations. Historically, trade unions have strong links to the Labour Party. This would be another valid point of comparison.
Common mistakes
Students might describe two features of employers' associations from the source without explaining how trade unions are different. The key is the comparison.
Practice the full AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies Paper 2
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