Trade union

Definition

Organization whose membership consists of workers and union leaders, and whose principal purposes are to

(1) negotiate wages and working condition terms, (2) regulate relations between workers (its

members) and the employer, (3) take collective action to enforce the terms of

collective bargaining, (4) raise new demands on behalf of its members,

and

(5) help settle their grievances. Trade unions are generally classified as:

(a) Company union that represents interests of only one firm and may not have any connection with the trade union movement. Also called house union, a company union is often a bogus one and generally illegal.

(b) General union that represents workers from several firms from the same industry. Also called industrial union.

(c) Craft union that represents skilled workers in a particular field such as carpentry or welding.

Objective of Trade Unions

• Wages salaries• Working conditions.• Discipline.• Personnel policies.• Welfare.• Employee-employer relation.• Negotiating machinery.• Safeguarding organizational health and interest

of the industry

Representation (Workers’ Interests)

Negotiation (Collective Bargaining)

Voice in decisions (Lay off, Retrenchment) affecting

workers

Member Service (Education,

Training, Welfare, Discounts, Loans)

Objective of Trade Unions

Functions Of Trade Unions

• Militant Functions :– To achieve higher wages and better working conditions .– To raise the status of workers as a part of industry .– To protect labors against victimization and injustice

• Fraternal Functions :– To take up welfare measures for improving the morale of

workers .– To generate self confidence among workers .– To encourage sincerity and discipline among workers .– To provide opportunities for promotion and growth .– To protect women workers against discrimination

TYPES OF UNIONS:

A. Classified according to purpose i. Reformist Unions : Aim at preservation of capitalist society

& maintenance of usual employee – employer relationship ii. Revolutionary Unions : Destroying

capitalists, abolish the wage system &substitute with the socialist / communistsystem.

B. Classified on basis of membership structure i. Craft Union ii. Staff Union iii. Industrial Union

Reasons For Joining Trade Unions

1. Greater Bargaining Power2. Minimize Discrimination3. Sense of Security4. Sense of Participation5. Sense of Belongingness6. Platform for self expression7. Betterment of relationships

At present there are twelve Central Trade Union Organizations in India:

1. All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) 2. Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) 3. Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) 4. Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat (HMKP) 5. Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) 6. Indian Federation of Free Trade Unions

(IFFTU)

7. Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) 8. National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU) 9. National Labor Organization (NLO)10. Trade Unions Co-ordination Centre (TUCC)11. United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) and12. United Trade Union Congress - Lenin Sarani(UTUC - LS)

Union Problems

Trade union leadershipMultiple unionsUnion rivalryFinanceOther problemsilliteracyUneven growthLow membershipHeterogeneous nature of labourLack of interestAbsence of paid office bearers