Trade Unions

What are the benefits of being a member of a trade union?

Trade unions are organisations that represent workers. They aim to help members with

• Pay
• Working conditions
• Safety
• Solving disputes
• Equal rights
• Financial services (e.g. loans)
• Redundancy arrangements

Why do some people not join a union?

• Because they are self-employed
• Some employers have non-union agreements forbidding workers from joining a union
• The cost of joining and remaining a member could be too high
• Some well paid workers don't see the point
• They can enjoy the benefits of pay rises and better working conditions negotiated by the unions without joining (freeloaders)

What actions can trade unions take?

The members of a trade union can take the following action in support of a grievance

• Overtime ban - working only the hours specified in their contract with their employers
• Work to rule - following every rule slavishly which has the effect of slowing down production
• Strike - withdrawing labour - this can be short term (one day), selective (only one group within an organisation) or long term (until the end of the dispute)

Why will some workers not go on strike?

• They believe it will badly affect others e.g. some nurses may not strike because of a possible affect on patients
• They have signed a no strike agreement with the company
• They will not get paid for the days they are on strike

How are trade union representatives selected?

• It now must be by a secret ballot (vote), not by a show of hands which may be intimidating to some people
• All paid-up union members are entitled to vote
• Officials must stand for re-election on a regular basis

Why is the job of shop steward important?

• The shop steward is the link between the workers and the management in the workplace
• It is the first person to which a union member would take a grievance
• They encourage new workers to join a union
• They are the link between workers and full time union officials
• They chair union meetings in the workplace

How can members participate in trade union activities?

• Paying union dues
• Attending meetings
• Electing shop stewards and other officials
• Standing for election themselves
• Participating in industrial action when required

What are the rights and responsibilities of trade unions?

Rights	Responsibilities
To protest and take industrial action To consultation about changes in work practices To recruit new members To negotiate on their members behalf	Ballots (votes) should be secret To work within the law To not pressurise non-members to join To listen to members views To keep their members informed

Why are women under-represented in trade unions?

• There is a tradition of male dominance
• Some males have stereotyped attitudes which mean they won't vote for women
• The meeting times may be inconvenient for women looking after families
• Many women are part time workers and therefore may not feel the need to participate as much
• More women are in low paid jobs and feel they cannot afford the union fees

---

     

---

Jump back to the top