Economics

- Arun Khanchandani

What Is Trade Union?

⌂ A trade union or labour union is an organization of workers who have banded together to achieve common goals in key areas such as wages, hours, and working conditions.

Types Of Trade Unions⌂ Craft or Skills Unions: These unions represent the

skilled workers. Example: Musicians Union.

⌂ Industrial Unions: These unions represent the different industries.

Example: Konkan Railway Employees Union ⌂ General Unions: They represent workers from

different industries and any level of skill.

Example: Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)

⌂ White Collar Unions: They represent office workers. Example: National Union of Teachers

Role of trade unions

⌂ To negotiate better wages with the employers⌂ Basic pay, Overtime payments, pensions

⌂ To negotiate the number of working hours⌂ To ask for suitable holidays

⌂ Maternity & Paternity rights

⌂ To demand for better working conditions⌂ Health rights, Safety rights

⌂ Unions also help with educating & training of workers to improve skills

Role of trade unions

⌂ Unions sometimes participate in measures to improve product demand.

⌂ Unions sometimes provide workers benefits like pay during strikes, sickness & unemployment.

⌂ Some Unions are also known to run co-operative societies to offer benefits like loans at lower interest rates.

⌂ Unions work with the governments to introduce legislations to benefit workers – example fixing a national minimum wage.

Why do workers join trade unions ?

⌂ They believe that there is strength in number and they will be listened to when they in a group – Collective Bargaining

⌂ To get the benefits of advice, financial support and welfare activities carried out by Trade Unions.

⌂ Improved benefits for workers.⌂ To pressurize the employer to provide

them with a healthier and safer working environment.

Trade Unions & Collective Bargaining

⌂ When trade unions are able to operate openly, have support from the majority workers and are recognized by employers, they may negotiate with employers over wages and working conditions

Trade Unions & Wage Claims

⌂ Trade Unions demand wage increase on account of ⌂Hard work & increased productivity

⌂Increased profits

⌂Comparing wages of similar workers – Comparability argument

⌂Increased cost of living

Factors Affecting Trade Unions

⌂ A High Level Of Economic Activity.

⌂ A High Number Of Members.

⌂ A High Level Of Skill.

⌂ A Consistent Demand For The Product.

Trade Unions & 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 goods & raw material in and out of factory.

⌂ Work to Rule: It is when workers purposely follow all the rules as

agreed in worker contracts 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.

⌂ Labour Supply: Restrict hiring of new workers

INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Some Images Of Trade Unions

Some Trade Unions India

⌂ A.P. Mica Mine Workers Union ⌂ Andhra Pradesh Auto Rickshaw Drivers and

Workers Federation ⌂ Calcutta Hawkers' Men Union ⌂ Federation of Chatkal Mazdoor Unions ⌂ Nikhila Orissa Beedi Shramika Federation ⌂ Patiala Aviation Club Workers Union ⌂ Pondicherry Textile Labour Union ⌂ Powerloom Workers Union ⌂ Punjab Breweries Workers Union ⌂ Vegetable Market Workers Union ⌂ Visakha Steel Workers Union

Click HereLists Of Trade Union

Some Countries Where Unions Are Illegal

⌂Oman

⌂Qatar

⌂United Arab Emirates

⌂Maldives

⌂Iraq & Syria (Only 1 Trade Union Allowed)