Unions returning on a smaller scale? (3)
I believe the answer is:
cut
'on a smaller scale?' is the definition.
(cut can mean reduced)
'unions returning' is the wordplay.
'unions' becomes 'tuc' (Trades Union Congress).
'returning' is a reversal indicator.
'tuc' in reverse letter order is 'CUT'.
(Other definitions for cut that I've seen before include "Slice, chop" , "Shorten; remove" , "Make an incision" , "reduced" , "Fail to attend" .)