What are Trade Unions
Trade Unions are organizations that represent people at work. Their purpose
is to protect and improve people’s pay and conditions of employment. They
also campaign for laws and policies which will benefit working people.
Trade unions exist because an individual worker has very little power to
influence decisions that are made about his or her job. By joining together
with other workers, there is more chance of having a voice and influence.
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What do Trade Unions do
The main service a union provides for its members is negotiation and
representation. There are other benefits people get from being members of
trade unions.
Negotiation
Representation
Information and Advice
Member services back to top
Why do people join Trade Unions
The main reason people join trade unions is so that they can have better pay
and working conditions and union protection if there is a problem at work.
Each trade union member pays a subscription. The amount varies from union to
union and is normally set at different levels according to the amount people
earn. It is usually between $12 and $20 a month. Some unions reduce the fees
for unemployed members
People pay their subscription fees in different ways. It may be collected by
direct debit from your bank account, deducted directly from your wages or
paid in cash or by cheque to your union representative or full time
official.
In exchange members receive the benefits of representation, negotiation,
protection and other services from their union.
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How do Trade Unions Recruit Members
Different unions cover different jobs and industries. People are able to
join the most appropriate union for their job or sector.
People are recruited to unions in different ways. Most people find out about
the union by talking to colleagues at the workplace and then make direct
contact with the union. Others are contacted by the union representative who
gives them information about the union and tells them how to join. Some
employers and personnel officers tell employees about the union when they
start working for the organization. back
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What is the role of Trade Unions in Industrial Disputes
Most “collective bargaining” takes place quietly and agreements are quickly
reached by the union and the employer. Occasionally disagreements do occur
and the two sides cannot agree. In these cases the union may decide to take
industrial action.
Industrial action takes different forms. It could mean an over time ban, a
work-to-rule or a strike. There are strict laws which unions have to follow
when they take industrial action.
A strike is only called as a last resort. Strike are often in the news but
are rare. Both sides have a lot to lose. Employers lose income because of
interruptions to production or services. Employees lose their salaries and
may find that their jobs are at risk. back
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What are examples of good employment
practices?
The employer has an active equal opportunity policy which seeks to eliminate
discrimination and promotes equal treatment at work.
The employer recognizes the union for collective bargaining and consults the
union on issues that affect their members’ interest.
The employer invests in the training and development of all staff
Working hours take account of the individual needs of employees, such as
family commitments.
The employer guarantees job security for employees; in return the union
recognizes that jobs and working practices may be subject to change.
Many employers recognize that these sorts of practices are good for business
and good for employees. By following good practice, employers ensure that
they are in line with legislation and are able to deal with economic
pressures too. Good practice helps to build constructive long term
relationships between employees and employers, which organizations need to
improve their businesses and services and enhance their competitive
positions in the market. back to top
What are examples of bad
employment practices?
Examples of bad practice include employers who:
Employ staff on 2 year (729 days) contracts. Employers often do this because
many employment rights only come into enforce when someone has been in their
job for more than 2 years.
Fail to have proper grievance and disciplinary procedures so that employees
problems’ cannot be dealt with fairly.
Refuse to recognize the union for collective bargaining.
Dismiss workers with no notice or redundancy pay.
Make employees work long hours for low wages.
Some of these practices are illegal, but others are not. These sorts of
practices are exploitative and in the long run they harm the competitiveness
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How are the TUC and unions involved in safeguarding
and promoting employment rights?
Unions defend employment rights by:
making sure that employers have proper procedures in place to protect
people’s legal rights at work
encouraging employers to introduce employment rights which are not required
by the law but are based on good practice
offering information and advice to union members about their rights, and
representing members when employers break the law on employment rights
running training programmes for union members and representatives so that
they are informed about employment rights
winning support for policies which protect and extend rights for people at
work. back to top
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