What are trade unions' impact on the workplace?
A trade union is an organisation made up of members (a membership-based organisation) and its membership must be made up mainly of workers.
One of a trade union's main aims 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.
What are the roles of a trade union?
Trade unions represent workers’ interests, protect employees’ rights and fight against unfair changes in the balance between employee and employer’s rights and responsibilities. Their main roles are:
- to protect employees’ rights — they negotiate agreements with employers on pay and conditions
- to promote positive working relationships
- to provide benefits to their members
- to promote health, safety and well-being in the workplace
Industrial action
Industrial action refers to measures taken by employees or trade unions to express dissatisfaction with work conditions or to pressure employers into making changes. It typically involves disrupting normal work operations to achieve specific demands.
Types of industrial action
| Industrial action | |
|---|---|
| Strike | Employees stop working entirely, as a form of protest. Strikes can be full or partial, and they aim to pressure employers to address grievances or meet demands. |
| Work-to-Rule | Employees strictly follow the exact terms of their contracts, including all regulations and procedures, which can slow down work processes and reduce productivity. |
| Go-Slow | Employees work at a deliberately slower pace than usual to disrupt normal operations and highlight issues without halting work completely. |
| Withdrawal of Extra Duties | Employees stop performing additional tasks or responsibilities that are not part of their standard job roles. |
Industrial action is a tool used by employees and trade unions to negotiate better working conditions, pay or other employment terms. While it can be an effective means of pressing for change, it can also lead to operational disruptions and potential legal and financial consequences for both employers and employees.
What are the advantages or disadvantages of joining a trade union?
What are the advantages to joining a trade union
Trade unions ultimately aim to protect workers - especially their own members. There are a number of advantages to being a member of a trade union:
- members can seek legal and financial advice
- they are experienced in negotiating with employers for better pay and working conditions
- they have a good knowledge of workplace laws
- can offer legal protection and support
- provide education facilities and certain consumer benefits such as discounted insurance
- accompany members to disciplinary and grievance meetings
- they discuss major changes to the workplace such as large scale redundancy
Are there any disadvantages to joining a trade union?
Union members pay a membership fee (called dues) which reduces their take home pay and could be viewed as a disadvantage.
Trade unions can take industrial action based on the votes of their members. Members may disagree with the outcome of a vote, but feel pressured and obliged to be involved in the action.
If members go on strike they will lose some of their pay, and experience the stress and pressure of having less money. Also, the company will expect that members catch up on their work when they come back after a strike.
Sometimes companies are hostile to unions and joining them can affect workplace culture.
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