Overview of the labour market [November 2009]

Inevitably current interest in the Scottish labour market continues to focus on the trends and patterns in the unemployment figures and again in this issue we note recent changes in Scottish labour market trends. Initially, however, the increasing recognition of the likelihood of widespread job losses in public sector and recent disputes involving postal services and threats of industrial action by British Airways cabin crew prompt a consideration of both the trends in public sector employment and of trade union membership.