Workplace Trade Unionism in the British State Sector FairbrotherPeter 2017 Workplace unionism in the state sector is in crisis, with many unions forced into defensive sectional postures, while others face the problem of trying to maintain centralised and hierarchical forms of organisation. In the context of the restructuring that has been taking place over the last ten years, these unions have been going through a process of union renewal, where either centralised and hierarchical forms of unionism are affirmed or where more participative forms of unionism are emerging. In these circumstances, workplace unions face a choice between developing more participative forms of representation (a form of union renewal) or reaffirming local hierarchies (a revival of current forms). These developments raise questions about the conditions for different forms of unionism and the processes of democratisation.