Trade Unions: The Functions of A Trade Union

TRADE UNIONS
Trade unions are organizations that promote and protect the

interests of their members (employees) to improve their wages
and working conditions.
The functions of a trade union:
 negotiating improvements in wages and other non-wage
benefits
 defending employees’ rights and jobs
 improving working conditions, such as securing better hours
of work and better health and safety policies
 improving pay and other benefits, including holiday
entitlement, sick pay and pensions
 encouraging firms to increase workers’ participation in
business decision making
 supporting members who have been dismissed or who are
taking industrial action
 developing the skills of union members, by providing training
and education courses
 providing social and recreational amenities for their
members
 improving employment legislation
Types of Trade Union:
1) General Unions:
General unions represent different types of workers, skilled and
unskilled, in many industries. Example, Transport and General
Workers Union in the UK.
2) Industrial Unions:
Industrial union represents nearly all the workers in a particular
industry, irrespective their job. Example, National Union of Mine
Workers in UK. Often employers prefer their workers to belong
to industrial unions because this means they only have to deal
with one union instead of a different union for each type of
worker.
3) Craft Unions:
Craft unions are small unions for skilled workers such as
musicians, electricians, carpenters...etc. These unions tend to
recruit only those workers who have served as recognized
apprenticeship.
4) Non-manual Union (White collar Union):
These unions are mainly for workers providing services. For
example, scientists, civil servants, teachers.. ..etc.
The white-collar worker typically performs work in an office
environment and may involve sitting at a computer or desk.
The blue collar workers are those workers who are doing
manual labour work and other types of physical work. They are
often paid wages.
Trade unions may seek to improve the wages and other
working conditions of their members if:
 price inflation is high and rising

 other groups of workers have received pay rises
 new machinery or working practices have been introduced in the
workplace
 the productivity of their members has increased
 the profits of the employing organization have increased
Trade union members may take industrial action in an attempt to

increase their bargaining strength. Industrial action disrupts
production, increases costs and reduces revenues for employers.
Arbitration may be necessary to settle industrial disputes. This
involves employers and unions agreeing to let an independent
referee, often a senior government official or lawyer, help them to
settle their industrial dispute.
 When negotiations fail, trade unions may take industrial action to

put pressure on their employers.
 Official action means it has the backing of the union, and other
unions may also take action in support.
 Unofficial action means that workers taking industrial action do
not have the support of their union.
Industrial Actions:
 Strike: when employees refuse to work

 Picketing: When employees stand outside the workplace and
prevent the smooth functioning of the firm. E.g. they may stop the
movement of Lorries in and out of factory.
 Work to Rule: It is when workers purposely follow all the rules in
order to delay the progress of work.
 Go slow: It is when the employees work at a very slow pace.
 Non-cooperation: It involves workers refusing to follow a new
procedure or rule.
 Overtime ban: It is when the employees refuse to work overtime
or for additional hours of work apart from their normal working
hours.
 Sit-in: when workers refuse to leave their place of work, often in an
attempt to stop a firm installing new machinery or closing down.
What are employer associations?
 These organizations exist to provide employers with help and advice for example, on legal matters
and calculating tax, and to represent their views in discussions with trade unions and government.

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TRADE UNIONS

Trade unions are organizations that promote and protect the

 price inflation is high and rising

Trade union members may take industrial action in an attempt to

 When negotiations fail, trade unions may take industrial action to

 Strike: when employees refuse to work

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