Challenges of Trade Unions and Why Important of Trade Unions for Employers


 


An association of workers belonging to the same trade, organization, or industry is known as a trade union. Its goals are to defend workers' rights, enhance working conditions, negotiate better wages, and speak with management as a single voice. It attempts to provide workers with negotiating leverage over business or government management in their favor. (infostories, 2023)

 

Development in history

Trade unionism, often known as organized labor, began as an organized movement in the United States, Great Britain, and continental Europe in the 1800s. The terms labor movement and trade unionism are interchangeable in many nations. Smaller worker associations first appeared in Britain in the 18th century, but for the most of the 19th century, they were rare and fleeting, partly due to the animosity they faced from government agencies and employers who opposed this new kind of political and economic activism. During that period, both in Britain and the US, unions and unionists faced frequent prosecution under different conspiracy and restraint-of-trade laws.

 Although union organizers in the two nations encountered similar challenges, their strategies developed very differently: American unions pursued collective bargaining as a means of securing financial benefits for their members, while the British movement favored political activism, which resulted in the creation of the Labor Party in 1906.

 

Why important of trade unions ?




  • Good conditions and terms
Because trade unions represent their members' interests in collective bargaining agreements and shield them from unethical management actions, members of the union are more likely to enjoy better terms and conditions than non-members.

Under the protection of a trade union, employers and employees should discuss and agree on all elements of working life. These talks are led by union members who have received training on behalf of the workers. To make sure that business decisions that impact employees are in the best interests of both the employer and the workforce, unions collaborate positively with forward-thinking businesses.

 

  • Legal assistance

 Your union representative can offer you professional guidance, assistance, and representation throughout proceedings including disciplinary and grievance hearings. Unions have legal departments that will ensure that you receive fair treatment and won't charge you for legal services. Whether the issue is with employment contracts, harassment, layoffs, pensions, or discrimination, your union will support you. 


  •  Unity is strength

With the help of unions, employees can speak with management about their working circumstances and demands for respectable, safe, and fair labor in a strong, united voice.

More than ever, working people require the protection of a union. Employers all throughout the world have attempted to divide labor and circumvent labor laws by turning the attention from their own obligations to their employees. They may do this by claiming that workers in the "gig economy" are independent "contractors" as opposed to employees, or by severing their ties to the people who make the goods they benefit from via supply chains in the Global South.


  • Protection and stability
Compared to non-unionized workers, trade union members have an average five-year employment retention rate that is higher.


  • Safety and health
Workplaces with unions are safer places to work. Unionized workplaces in the UK had 50% fewer accidents. Elected by their trade union workplaces, local safety representatives deal with anything from stress and mental health problems to dangerous drugs while advocating to management on behalf of their coworkers' health and safety.  (news-analysis, 2023).

 

Challenges of Trade Unions for Workers


  • Recognition and negotiation

 Talking with trade unions about important issues that have come up after recognition or about the recognition process itself may be difficult and time-consuming. You have to work toward agreements that meet the demands of the union and the interests of the business.

  •  Conflicts

Conflicts have the ability to spark industrial action, such as strikes. These behaviors have the ability to impair your reputation and interfere with business operations.

  •  Compliance

 Labor rules are rigorously enforced by trade unions. Any noncompliance may result in penalties, legal problems, or other problems.

 

Suggestions for Building and Maintaining a Solid Bond with Trade Unions


  • Put your attention on problem-solving

 Address conflicts by adopting a problem-solving perspective. Find solutions that honor the needs of the company and the interests of the employees by cooperating with the union.


  •  Conduct training

Teach managers and HR personnel how to interact with unions in a positive way. By preventing misunderstandings and promoting a deeper comprehension of the union's position and viewpoint, this training may assist.


  •  Retain transparency

 Be open and honest about the problems, money, and business processes. This openness creates a sense of shared accountability for the organization's performance and increases trust.


  • Open Communication
Encourage open and frequent contact amongst union representatives. This conversation keeps both parties informed and enables proactive issue identification and resolution.

  • Engage Unions Early
Include union leaders early in the planning process. This early engagement can lessen resistance to change and foster a feeling of shared ownership.


  • Observe collective agreements

Respect collective bargaining agreements. Breaking these terms might harm your relationship with the union and erode trust.


References

  • infostories, 2023. Trade unions in transition: What will be their role in the future of work?. [Online] Available at: https://www.ilo.org/infostories/en-GB/Stories/Labour-Relations/trade-unions

  • news-analysis, 2023. news-analysis. [Online] Available at: https://waronwant.org/news-analysis/ten-reasons-why-unions-are-important


Comments

  1. Arundathi EgodawatteApril 9, 2024 at 9:17 AM

    Good article. yes, employers can build stronger relationships with their workforce by recognizing the importance of trade unions and proactively addressing employees' concerns.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erandi TharishmaApril 13, 2024 at 12:41 AM

      Thanks, Arundathi. I greatly appreciate your comment. Employers who value trade unions and take initiative to resolve problems raised by staff members might forge closer bonds with their workers.

      Delete
  2. Amesha J ColinsApril 9, 2024 at 9:20 AM

    This is a nice article I understood ! Unions provide legal assistance, representation, and support for employees in various legal matters, including employment contracts, harassment, layoffs, pensions, and discrimination. They also help employees voice their demands for respectable, safe, and fair labor. Employers worldwide are increasingly attempting to divide labor and circumvent labor laws by claiming gig economy workers are independent contractors or severing ties to suppliers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erandi TharishmaApril 13, 2024 at 12:43 AM

      Thank You for Leaving a Comment. They also support workers in voicing their concerns about fair, safe, and decent work conditions. By cutting connections with suppliers or asserting that gig economy workers are independent contractors, employers globally are making more and more attempts to split labor and evade labor regulations.

      Delete
  3. DilshadApril 9, 2024 at 11:01 AM

    The pluralist theory says that trade unions are just one type of interest group in an organisation. Unions can help keep things stable and peaceful in the workplace while also fighting for workers' rights. By giving people a formal way to talk and negotiate, trade unions can help keep things from getting heated and make sure things run more smoothly.
    John Dunlop's book "Industrial Relations Systems" came out in 1958.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erandi TharishmaApril 13, 2024 at 12:44 AM

      Thank you for your insightful comment. I agreed. Trade unions are merely one kind of interest group within an organization, according to the pluralist view. Unions may advocate for workers' rights and contribute to a stable and peaceful work environment.

      Delete
  4. Neashara WarnakulaApril 10, 2024 at 1:59 AM

    Trade unions continue to play a critical role in promoting positive labor-management relations and fighting for workers' rights, despite the many obstacles they confront in today's changing labor market. Employers may contribute to the creation of a more successful and equitable workplace for all stakeholders by acknowledging the significance of trade unions and having meaningful conversations and collaboration with them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erandi TharishmaApril 13, 2024 at 12:46 AM

      Thank you for your valuable comment. Workers' rights are represented by trade unions, which also seek to enhance pay, job security, and working conditions. Important responsibilities consist of: Representation: Unions bargain on pay, hours, and working conditions with employers.

      Delete
  5. Shani KalansooriyaApril 12, 2024 at 9:32 PM

    The article provides a comprehensive overview of trade unions, highlighting their historical development, importance for workers, challenges, and suggestions for fostering positive relationships with unions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erandi TharishmaApril 13, 2024 at 12:49 AM

      Thank You for Leaving a Comment. Union supporters assert that membership leads to improved pay, benefits, and working conditions for employees. Among other reasons, union contracts make it more difficult for businesses to remove underperforming staff, thus unions are anti-employer.

      Delete
  6. Rizan HussainApril 13, 2024 at 10:48 AM

    Trade unions play a vital role in balancing the interests of employees and employers. Understanding their challenges and importance is crucial for fostering productive and harmonious workplace relationships. Very useful article.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Rizan HussainApril 13, 2024 at 10:48 AM

    Trade unions play a vital role in balancing the interests of employees and employers. Understanding their challenges and importance is crucial for fostering productive and harmonious workplace relationships. Interesting article.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Rizan HussainApril 13, 2024 at 10:49 AM

    Trade unions play a vital role in balancing the interests of employees and employers. Understanding their challenges and importance is crucial for fostering productive and harmonious workplace relationships. Interesting article.

    ReplyDelete

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