Good afternoon
A B C D
E F G H
I J K L
MN O P
Q R S T
U V WX
T RA D E UN I ON
BUIL
Y Z D
Learning Objectives
Explain trade union
State functions of trade union
Differentiate types of trade
union.
Activity: I: Frame a statement using the
words from the slide.
Trade union
A trade union, is an association which represents the
interests of a group of workers
Activity: II Look at the picture and identify
the functions.
The functions /role of trade
union.
•Improving working conditions
•Defending employees rights and jobs
•Negotiating improvements in and other non-wage
benefits with employers
•Improving pay and other benefits, including
holidays entitlement, sick pay and pension.
•Encouraging firms to increase workers participation
in business decision making
•Supporting members who have been dismissed or
who are taking industrial action.
•Developing the skills of union members, by proving
training and education courses
•Providing social and recreation amenities for their
members
•Influencing government policy and employment
Types of trade union
General trade union: A general union is
a trade union (called labour union in
American English) these unions include
workers with a range of skills and from a
range of industries. For example,
Jamshedpur Labour Union.
Industrial union:
These seeks to represent all the workers in a
particular industry. For example, Rail
industry, the TGWU (Transport and
General Workers' Union)
Craft union: These represents workers
with particular skills, for example
plumbers and weaver. These workers may
be employed in a number of industries.
White collar unions: (Non manual unions
and professional associations)
These unions represent particular professions, including
piolet, teachers etc. For example The Association of Iran
journalist (AOIJ) , All India Bank Officer
Association( AIBOC), German Police Union(GDL) and
National Union Teachers (NUT) in the UK.
Collective bargaining: representatives of
workers negotiating with employers
association.
Factors Affecting the strength of a trade union:
A high level of economic activity: If output and income in a country
are increasing, most industries are likely to be doing well, and so should be
able to improve the pay and conditions of workers. When output reaches
high levels and most people who want to work are employed, firms will be
competing for workers. To retain their existing workers and to recruit more
workers, firms are likely to be more willing to agree to union requests for
higher pay and better working conditions.
A high number of members: The more members a union has, the
more funds it is likely to have to finance its activities. Also, the employers will
find it difficult to replace union labour by non-union labour in such a scenario.
Ahigh level of skill: Unions representing skilled workers are in a
relatively strong position, as it can be difficult to replace their workers with
other skilled workers and expensive to train unskilled workers.
A consistent demand for the product produced by the
workers: Unions that represent workers making goods and services that
are essential to consumers are in a strong position to bargain.
Favourable government legislation : A union will be in a
stronger position if laws allow trade unions to take industrial
action.
Industrial actions: when workers disrupt production to put pressure
on employers to agree to their demand. The most well known form of
industrial action is strike.
Strike: When a group of workers stopping work to put pressure on an
employers to agree to their demands. A strike can be official or
unofficial. An official strike is one which is approved and organised by
the trade union. Unofficial strike is one which has not been approved
by the trade union. This can occur when the strike is called by local
union representatives and is over before the union has the time to
approve it, Or in case when the union does not agree with the action.
Ways of measuring strike:
the number of strikes
the number of workers involved
the number of working days lost
Advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
Less time consuming
Less stressful
It is a useful channel of communication between
employers and workers.
It improves productivity
they encourage workers to engage in education
and training
promotes improved health and safety
Disadvantages:
The amount of revenue lost and damage done to
the reputation of a particular firm by a strike will
be influenced by the effect on rival firms and the
length of the strike.
Firm’s costs and flexibility will also affected by
overtime bans and ‘work to rule’ action
Trade union and the government:
Course book activity answers:
Group activities:
1 a) craft or industrialised union
b) white collar union
c) general union
d) industrial union
e) industrial union f craft union
2 a) A union representing firefighters. They provide an essential service.
People can do without flowers for a period of time.
b) A union representing skilled workers. It is more difficult to replace
skilled than unskilled workers.
c )A union striking during a period of low unemployment. In such a
situation, it would be difficult to replace the workers on strike.
Individual activities
1 a) The university lecturers were advancing the
comparability argument – comparing their pay with
that of a head teacher and that of a doctor.
b) University lecturers are in a white-collar union.
Four-part question
a) A trade union is an association of workers designed to
protect them from, for example, redundancy and to
improve their wages and working conditions.
b) Trade union membership may decline if government
legislation reduces the power of trade unions to take
industrial action. Banning strikes, for example, may
reduce the bargaining power a trade union has in
negotiating on behalf of their members. This may
make it less worthwhile to join a trade union.
Trade union membership may also fall if there is a
rise in unemployment. There would be fewer people in a
position to join a trade union and some of those still in
employment may be afraid of joining a trade union in
case employers would make members redundant before
non-members.
c ) A trade union will be stronger if it has a high number of
members. This will increase the funds available to the trade union to
pursue its objectives. If the trade union has not only a high number
of members but also a high proportion of the number of workers
employed, it will make it more difficult to replace striking workers
with new workers. It will also increase the strength of its claim to
represent the interests of the workers.
A high level of economic activity strengthens a trade union. This is
because there will be a high level of employment. Employers will
want to recruit more workers and to retain existing workers. This is
likely to make employers more willing to increase wages and
working conditions.
Government legislation may favour trade unions. If laws give trade
unions the right to strike and take other industrial action, the trade
unions will be in a more powerful position to pursue their aims.
Trade unions that represent skilled workers tend to be in a
stronger position than those representing unskilled workers. This is
because it will be more difficult to replace skilled workers with other
workers or machinery. Trade unions representing workers in
essential services, such as the fire service, may also be in a stronger
position than a trade union representing, for instance, people
Group Activity
Task :1
State any two advantages and
disadvantages of Trade union
Task :2
Is joining a union a good idea? Justify.
Task : 3
Explain what is trade union.
Why do workers join trade union? Justify.
Why companies do not like unions? Justify.
Home work
Identify examples of trade union
make a picture album related to trade union.
objective
Explain trade union
State functions of trade union
Differentiate types of trade union.
Thank you
