People and Organizations-MN7181

Importance of Trade union

A trade union is an organization created by the employees of a particular Organization. Trade union membership must be made up mainly of workers.The prime aim of an trade union is to protect and advance the interests of its members in the workplace.

Most trade unions are independent of any employer. However, trade unions try to develop close working relationships with employers. This can sometimes take the form of a partnership agreement between the employer and the trade union which identifies their common interests and objectives (Wright, 2011).

The existence of a strong and recognized trade union is a good to industrial peace. Decisions taken through collective bargaining and negotiations between employer and unions are more influential and effective. Trade unions play an important role and are helpful in effective communication between the workers and the management and act as a intermediary. They provide the advice and support to the management on behalf of employees. Actually trade union is to represent people at work. But they also have a wider role in protecting their interests. They also play an important role for their members on lot of matters (Baccaro, 2008).

Trade Unions are important to workers for the following reasons

• Collective bargaining. Industries. Trade Unions negotiate with employers for better terms and conditions of employment and for healthy workplace standards.
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• Trade Unions strengthen workers’ demand for better labor and industrial legislation. The ability of unions to represent workers and their families stand as an asset, for which political parties try to woo them by offering better deals in terms of pro labor legislation. Better medical facilities, welfare schemes, annual leave, insurance and other benefits are the results.
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• Trade unions can ensure more job security for its members.
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• Factories with union activity are safer when it comes to chance for industrial accidents. Unions pressurize employers to ensure better safety standards and use their influence with law enforcement agencies to assure better safety measures at workplace.
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• Trade unions protect workers against physical and mental torture and exploitation of superiors at workplace.
• Workers’ individual rights and liberties are better protected by trade unions.
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• Trade unions can negotiate with management for mutual give and take in matters of increased productivity. When there is higher demand of production trade unions can negotiate better remuneration, so that both workers and managements benefited(Quain, n.d.).

Some important social responsibilities of trade unions include:

promoting and maintaining national integration by reducing the number of industrial disputes

incorporating a sense of corporate social responsibility in workers and achieving industrial peace

Participation of workers and trade unions in the promotion of sustainable development is important. As the representatives of working people, trade unions are important partners in facilitating the achievement of sustainable development in any economy. Information, education and training on sustainability at all levels, including in the workplace, are key to strengthening the capacity of workers and trade unions to support sustainable development (Andreas & Wigger, n.d.)

Reference

Andreas, I. & Wigger, B., n.d.

Baccaro, L., 2008. Labour, Globalization and Inequality: Are Trade Unions Still Redistributive?.

Quain, S., n.d. The Role of Trade Unions in Industrial Relations. 2019.

Wright, C.F., 2011. What role for trade unions in future workplace relations?.

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