What is a Trade Union?
Trade Unions are organizations formed by workers from similar or related fields. Its main aim is to protect and advance the interests like fair wage, better working conditions, proper working hours and many other benefits for its members in their respective workplaces. While most trade unions are independent of any employer, some of them work closely with them to bring the workers’ issues to light.
What is the purpose of Trade Unions?
Workers organise themselves in the form of a trade union to achieve the goals mentioned below:
Improve the economic condition of the members’ by securing them a fair wage.
Improve the working conditions for the workers.
Resist management schemes that reduce employment in any way.
Secure social welfare for the workers.
Making sure workers get a proper bonus from the profit of concern.
Secure organisational stability, proper growth and leadership.
Organise group schemes that benefit each and every worker of the union.
These trade unions work for the common interest of their members and negotiate with the employers on behalf of them. If the employer refuses to negotiate properly or acts unfairly, they also organise mass strikes to make sure their concerns are noticed by the higher authorities and common public resulting in proper negotiation.
How does a Trade Union Work?
- Trade Unions have a democratic structure, which means they hold elections to choose leaders who are responsible for making important decisions that are beneficial to their members.
- Members pay dues to the union and in return, the trade union works for the betterment of its members. Almost every trade union has a similar structure and functions in this manner.
- It actively negotiates with the employer in good faith which means that the employers might not agree to each and every demand of the trade union for things to work out.
- Multiple negotiations are held between the trade union as well as the employer until an agreeable term is reached. If the employer acts too unreasonable then the trade union organises strikes until the employer is ready to agree and sign on acceptable terms.
