Trade unionsCONTENTS

-Intro to trade unions-Features of trade unions-What do trade unions do?-Objectives of trade unions-How trade unions are financed-How trade unions recruits its members-Why employees join trade unions-Functions of trade unions-Trade union structure-Weakness/challenges/problems facing trade unions-Measures to strengthen trade unions-Advantages of trade unions to workers, employees and society-Criticism of trade union by employers

A Trade union is an association of workers formed to protect the interest of workers.

-it is an instrument of defense against exploitation( i.e. help in protection of labor rights) The most common purpose of trade union association is maintaining or improving the conditions of employment at work place such as ensuring safety standards, right to paid leave, right to be protected on unfair termination of employment , right to equality on working organization

The trade union through its leadership bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts.

Trade union association can exist in three forms i. Employer and employees ii. Employer and employeriii. Employees and employees

FEATURES/CHARACTERISTICS OF TRADE UNIONS

1.Trade unions are voluntary association of either employees or employer or independent worker.2.Trade union achieve its objectives through collective action and group efforts. Negotiation and collective bargaining are the tools for completing objectives3.It is formed to protect all kinds of interest, i.e. economic, social and political of its members but the major one is economic interest.4.Trade union are adaptable to the changing socio economic, legal, political environment5.Trade union are designed to eliminate the exploitation of workers through workers participation in the management

WHAT DO TRADE UNIONS DO?

The main service that a union provides for its members is negotiation and representing but there are also other functions. All of these functions can be explained below

1.NEGOTIATIONS( COLLECTIVE BARGAINING)Negotiation is where union representatives discuss with the management on issues that affect people working in the organization. The union finds out the members view and relay these views to the management.There may be difference of opinion between management and union members, negotiation is about finding a solution to these differences.

…2.REPRESENTATIONTrade unions represents individuals members when they have a problem at work. Example if employees feel they are being unfairly treated, the union representative can sort out the problem with the management, if the problem can not be solved by the employer himself then it will be solved on the court

3.INFORMATION AND ADVICETrade unions have wealth of information which is useful to people at work. They can advise on range of issues such as how much pay one is entitled to get on maternity leave, how much holiday one is entitled to get each year, how to obtain training at work

…4.MEMBER SERVICESTrade unions offers range of services to its members. It includes the following i. Education and training.Most unions run training courses for their members . The training relates mostly on employment rights, health and safety. ii. Legal assistanceTrade union offers legal assistance on employment issues, some unions even give help on personal matters like housing, wills and debts iii. Financial discountsPeople can get discounts on mortgages, insurance and loans form unions iv. Welfare benefitsTrade unions also look after members who hit hard times, example; some unions offer financial help to their members when they are sick

HOW ARE TRADE UNION FINANCED?

There are two main ways in which trade unions are financed1.SUBSCRIPTION FEESEach trade union member pays a subscription fee, the amount differs among unions and it is normally set at different levels according to the amount people earn. This is a major source of trade union’s financeIn exchange for subscription fees, members receive benefits of representation, negotiation , protection and other service from their union. The subscription fee may be direct deducted from employees salary and must be paid periodically2.DONATIONS, GRANTS OFFERED TO THE TRADE UNIONSThis is a secondary source of finance, its is not obtained periodically and it is not an obligation for individuals who provide donations, Companies or wealthy individuals who have trust on the trade union activities may provide donations to support trade union activities. Obtaining donations highly depends on trade union reputation and the nature of its activities.

HOW DO TRADE UNIONS RECRUITS THEIR MEMBERS?

Individuals are recruited in unions through the following ways

1.Most people find out about trade unions by talking to colleagues at the workplace and then make direct contact with the union.

2.Some people are contacted by union representative who give them information about the union and tells them how to join

3.Some employers and personal officers tell employees about the union when they start working for the organization.

WHY EMPLOYEES JOIN TRADE UNIONS?

1.GREATER BARGAINING POWEREmployees normally posses very little bargaining power as compared to that of employer, With trade unions, employees are united, the employees bargaining power can be enhanced through negotiation of their needs by their leader.2.MINIMIZING DISCRIMINATIONDiscrimination exist in working environment. Some subordinates may be treated fairly while others unfair due to the relationship. The relationships existing between the supervisors and each of his subordinates may influence decisions regarding pay, promotion, transfer. With trade unions these things can be reduced or eliminated.3.SENSE OF SECURITYSome employees join trade unions believing that it is an effective way to secure adequate protection from various types of hazards and overcome insecurity such as accident, injury, illness, unemploymentExample: protection of unfair termination of employment, proper remedy to be given incase of injury ( lets say an employee cuts his hand during machine operation at work place,)

…4.SENSE OF PARTICIPATIONThe employees can participate in management on matters affecting their interests only if they join trade unions. They can influence decisions that are taken as a result of collective bargaining between the union and the management5.SENSE OF BELONGINGNESSThose who are members feel that they gain respect in the eyes of their fellow workers. They can also discuss their problems with trade union leaders6.PLATFORM FOR SELF EXPRESSIONA trade union provides such a forum where the feelings, ideas and opinions of the workers could be discussed7.BETTERMENT OF RELATIONSHIPEmployees join trade unions as they believe trade unions can fulfill the important need of ensuring proper maintenance of employer-employee relationship.Unions help to ensure good industrial relations among management and workers by solving problems peacefully.

FUNCTIONS OF TRADE UNIONS

Trade unions performs a number of functions in order to achieve the objectives. These functions can be broadly classified into four categoriesi. Militant(revolutionary) functionsii. Fraternal functionsiii. Social functionsiv. Political functions

MILITANT(REVOLUTIONARY) FUNCTIONS1.To achieve higher wages and better working conditions2.To protect labour against injustice and victimization3.To raise the status of workers as part of industry

...FRATERNAL FUNCTIONS1.To provide opportunity for promotion and growth2.To encourage sincerity and discipline among workers.3.To generate self confidence among workers4.To take up welfare measures for improving the morale of workers

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS1.To promote schemes and procedure for addressing grievances among members2.Provision of education among members3.Publication of union documents such as newsletters or magazines for establishing communication with their members

TRADE UNION STRUCTURE

Trade unions are democratic organizations which are accountable to their members for their policies and actions.Unions are normally modeled on the following structure.1.MEMBERSPeople who pay a subscription to belong on a certain union2.SHOP STEWARDS( UNION REPRESENTATIVES)Union representatives are elected by members of the union to represent them to the management.3.BRANCHESBranches support union members in different organizations locally. There is usually a branch secretary who is elected by local members.4.DISTRICT/REGIONAL OFFICESThese are usually staffed by fulltime union officials. Union officials are people who are paid to offer advice and support to union members locally.5.A NATION OFFICE.These are unions headquarters which offers support to union members and negotiates or campaigns for improvement to their working conditions. At the top of organization there is usually general secretary who is elected by union members

TRADE UNION OBJECTIVES

1.Better wages by Improving employees pay and other benefits such as holiday entitlements.2.Better working conditions. Example ,Securing improvements in employees working conditions including hours of work. and health safety at work, improving pensions and industry injury benefits.3.Social welfare, providing improved standard of living4.Safeguard the interest of employees by Encouraging firm to increase worker participation in decision making5.To prevent employees from employer’s exploitation. This can done by defending employees rights and jobs. Employees rights are normally expressed in labour relation act that differs from one country to another.6.Organizational growth and stability. With trade union on place strikes can be avoided thus resulting stability and growth of the firm.

WEAKNESS/CHALLENGES/PROBLEMS FACING TRADE UNIONS

1.UNEVEN GROWTHThere is uneven growth in trade unionism. Trade union activities are only concentrated in few states and bigger industrial centers only.2.LIMITED MEMBERSHIPNot all people join trade unions. Many trade unions exist in different countries but there is declining membership per union. This because individuals feels that the unions do not meet their member’s needs, hence results to number of employees who are not member of any union3.FINANCIAL PROBLEMSFinancial position of trade union is weak since the average yearly income is low and inadequate. Things such as subscription rates are very low and sometimes they remain unpaid by their members.Funds of the union are inadequate and they cannot take welfare programs for their members effectively.

…4.MULTIPLICITY OF UNIONS(PRESENCE OF MULTIPLE UNIONS IN SAME FIELD)There is an existence of multiple trade unions in the same field. There is no restriction on the numbers of unions to be registered in one establishment.The law permit a small number of people to form trade unions. Eg according to trade unions act 2004 of Tanzania, 2o employees can form a trade union.Due to this it results to the formation multiple unions in large amount5.INDIFFERENT ALTITUDE OF WORKERSIn many countries, large number of workers have not joined trade unions and normally employers discourage trade unions.Also not all members on the union show interest in the affairs of the union. For example some people may have poor attendance of union’s general meetings, under such circumstance trade unionism cannot be expected to make progress due to lack of unity.6.POOR LEADERSHIP OF UNION LEADERSSometimes trade unions are led by people who are not workers but outsiders. Outsiders may include politicians, intellectuals who have no experience of work industry. Normally outsiders focus on their personal interests rather union interests.

...7.ILLETERACY OF SOME WORKERSSome works fail to understand the impact of trade unionism due to their lack of education8.UNION RIVALRY

MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN TRADE UNIONSThese are suggestion/measure to be taken for healthily growth of unionism1.ONE UNION IN ONE INDUSTRY(MAINTAINING UNITY)Having multiple union in the same industry lead to inter union rivalry that ultimately cuts trade union movements, it weakens the power for collective bargaining. There fore there should be one union only in one industry.The presence of one union only will help to have one policy, one program, one objective, one method of labour movements.2.DEVELOPMENT OF LEADERSHIP FROM WITHINLeaders of the union must be within the industry of workers and not outside.Outside leadership is one of the main cause for multiple problems of trade unions and that can only be eliminated if leaders come from within.3.PAID UNION OFFICIALSIndividuals who specifically work for the union should be employed and must be paid well. These union officials must be individuals of proven integrity and who are able to evaluate the demands of workers so that they may negotiate with employers on equal terms.

…4.IMPROVED FINANCIAL CONDITIONSFinancial position of union is weak and must be improved through ensuring payments of member subscription and finding donations for the union.5.RECOGNITION OF TRADE UNIONSTrade union must be recognized and be registered under the trade unions act in order to secure the union and ensuring its safely. If a union is registered it enjoys the rights of the registered trade unions as per the trade unions act.If it not registered then it is not subjected to the rights of a registered trade union.6.IMPROVING WORKERS EDUCATIONIt is the responsibility of trade unions to make workers realize their responsibilities and ensure discipline in them to perform their job satisfactory7.IMPROVING WELFARE ACTIVITIES FOR WORKERS IN UNIONWelfare activities efforts make the workers loyal to the union. Example provision of day school for children, night for adults, opening libraries,gyms.

ADVANTAGES OF TRADE UNIONS TO EMPLOYEES

1.It promote unity2.It ensures improvement in working conditions and provision for better welfare facilities3.Spirit of self reliance and self respect4.Uniform wages5.Change in employer’s altitude

ADVANTAGES OF TRADE UNION TO THE EMPLOYER

1.Dispute can be avoided or may be solved politely2.It results to industrial peace3.Framing healthly labour policies. It reduces chance of industrial dispute in future

ADVANTAGES OF TRADE UNIONS TO THE SOCIETY

1.Gain sympathy of general public(in crisis)2.Propose to the government( to enact labour policies to protect and develop labour force of the country in a better way3.It helps in development of industrial economy by maintaining good industrial relations, thus it will results in higher and better production at lower cost

CRITICISM OF TRADE UNIONS BY EMPLOYERS

1.LACK OF EDUCATIONLack of education makes workers narrow minded and prevent them to understand long-term views. For workers anything that does not results in an immediate rewards becomes unattractive to them even if it is important for their own benefits also.2.UNIONS MAY NOT WELCOME CHANGESUnions may not welcome changes for productivity methods for the fear that some of the workers will loose their jobs. Therefore they slowdown industrial progress.3.STRIKES ON ILLOGICAL BASISSometimes unions strikes on illogical bases/grounds and causes losses to producers, community and the nation. Workers also suffers because of their loss in salaries due to strikes4.CREATION OF ARTIFICIAL SCARCITY OF LABOURSTrade union creates artificial scarcity of labour by demanding that only union personnel should be employed5.Undue demands relating to wages.