What is a Trade Union?

Definition: An organization of workers or employees formed mainly to _ Negotiate with the employers on various
employment related issues Improve the terms and conditions at their workplace Enhance their status in society

In most countries, there are laws governing the formation, membership and administration of trade unions.

ORIGIN & GROWTH OF TRADE UNION MOVEMENT

Industrialization brought about new economic and social order in societies. TU emerged as a result of industrialization in new social order First workers union in India under the leadership of Mr Lokhande was developed in 1890 Beginning of labor movement in the modern sense started after the outbreak of World War I Economic. Political and social conditions influenced the growth of trade union movement in India. Establishment of ILO helped the formation of TUs in the country In 1920 AITUC( All India Trade Union Congress) was formed- the 1st All India trade union World War II brought splits in AITUC. Efforts of Indian National Congress resulted in the formation of INTUC( Indian National Trade Union Congress) Socialists separated from AITUC formed HMS( Hind Mazdoor Sabha) in 1948 Some other unions were also formed. They were BMS ( Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh) in1955, HMP( Hind Majdoor Panchayat) in 1965, CITU( Centre of Indian Trade Union ) in 1970

PRINCIPLE OF TRADE UNION

1. UNITY: Unity is strength 2. EQUALITY: Workers must not be
discriminated wrt caste, creed, sex etc. Each worker should get equal pay for equal work

3. SECURITY: Security of their employment

and their families must be safeguarded

Objectives of a Trade Union

1. Collective bargaining
Represent members to negotiate with employers, for better wages and conditions of employment

2. Safeguard jobs
Protect jobs of members

3. Cooperate with employers

For the benefits of members, resolve disputes in a mutually acceptable manner

Objectives of a Trade Union

4. Political activities
- Support pro-union political parties

5. Social activities
- Support members with recreation facilities and benefits for unemployment, illness, retirement, death

Types of Unions
1. Craft union
Same craft or occupation

2. General union
For unskilled workers

3. Staff union
Non-manual workers

Types of Unions
4. Industry union
Same industry, regardless of skills, occupation or job

5. House union (company or enterprise union)

All members are from the same company regardless of occupation or job

Why Workers Join Unions

1. Higher wages and better working
conditions
Collective bargaining with employer

2. Job security
More secured with collective agreement

3. Social need
Meet co-workers from other departments or companies

Why Workers Join Unions

4. Upgrading of skills
Attend training courses organized by union

5. Peer pressure
Colleagues are members

6. Self-fulfillment
Serve other members

OBJECTIVES/IMPORTANCE OF TRADE UNIONS

Wages & salaries
Policy matter but differences in implementation, so comes the role of trade union

Working conditions
safeguarding workers health: Lighting & ventilation, sanitation, rest rooms, safety equipments ( hazards free atmosphere , drinking water, refreshments, working hours, leave & rest, holidays with pay, job satisfaction, social security benefits and other welfare measures

Discipline
Protect workers from victimization by management- transfers, suspensions, dismissals etc

Personal policies
Fighting against improper implementation of personnel policies wrt recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, training etc..

Welfare
Solving difficulties of workers through collective bargaining wrt sanitation, hospitals, quarters, schools, colleges and other basic amenities

Employer- employee relations

Bureaucratic attitude and unilateral thinking of mgmt may lead to conflicts Trade unions go for constant negotiations for industrial democracy and peace.

Negotiating machinery
Based on give and take principle, negotiations continue till parties reach an agreement. Protect interests of workers through collective bargainINg

Safeguarding organizational health

Methods evolved for grievance redressal, techniques adopted to reduce absenteeism and labor turnover. upgrading skills- attend training courses organized by unions

ACTIVITIES OF TRADE UNION

ECONOMIC: Improved economic status, shorter working day, improvement in living and working conditions, better health & safety standards, upgrading welfare facilities, reducing inequalities- both internally & externally POLITICAL: Seeking / obtaining political power through political affiliations, lobbying activities to influence the cause of labor and legislations, participating & representing workers on bipartite forums, developing revolutionary ideologies among workers, protesting against Govt. decisions SOCIAL: Initiating & developing workers education system, organizing welfare & recreational facilities, providing monitory and other help during period of strike and economic distress, running cooperative welfare schemes and societies, hosing needs/ community development, organizing cultural functions & social welfare programmes NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL LEVEL: Representing workers at the national level on advisory committees, associating with national federations for unity & solidarity, Raising funds in case of national / International calamities or tragedies

FEATURES OF AN EFFECTIVE TRADE UNION Internally democratic Have a strong leadership Exhibit a responsibility towards their worker members Committed to promote industrial peace and harmony Inclined towards collective bargaining that is collaborative and not competitrive Possess financial security Adaptable to change

CHANGING ROLE / PUBLIC PERCEPTION TRADE UNIONS

Change in the attitude of unions towards management, Industry, Govt. and economy Unions becoming increasingly matured, responsive and realistic Gone are the days of frequent strikes, bandhs, gheraoes and violence Unions are reconciled to economic reforms. The accent is on opposing the adverse impact of reforms and not the reforms Discussion among trade union circles is now on issues like productivity, TQM, Technology, competition, MNCs, exports etc.. Unions aware of the Right Sizing and feel the need for suplus labor fat to be shed Days when unions were affiliated with political parties are gone by. Today thrust is on de- politicization of unions Experience of politically free unions is pleasant, reinforcing the belief that farther the unions are from politics, more advantageous it is for them

Workers association in our country is highly fragmented and the consequence is multiplicity of unions, which weakens the bargaining strength of employees. One of the defects of trade union movement in India has been the phenomenon of outside leadership. The fault of outside leadership lies with trade Union Act, 1926 itself. The act permitted outside participation to the extent of 50% of the strength of office bearers in a union. Trade Unions are at cross roads. Their membership is declining, Their political support is waning, public sympathy is receding, their relevance itself is at stake Managements on the other hand are on the offensive. They are able to force unions to accept terms and conditions. Workers,officers and managers are mercilessly terminated in the name of restructuring, downsizing etc Professionalisation of trade unions movement is another trend witnessed, they are trying to upgrade their leadership quality. Topics lie IT, strategic planning, diversity, networking and productivity etc now form inputs in training programmes organized for union leaders

MAJOR PROBLEMS FACED BY BTRADE UNIONS IN INDIA

Outside or political leadership Multiplicity of trade unions Small size of unions Low membership Uneven growth Poor financial position Low level of knowledge of labor legislation

TRADE UNION ACT (1926)

It legalizes the formation of trade unions by allowing employees the right to form and organize unions and also strengthen bargaining power of workers Act aims to provide law for the registration of trade unions and get it registered under the act Permits any seven persons to form a union OBJECTIVES Lay down conditions governing the registration of trade unions Defines obligations of trade unions Prescribe rights and liabilities of a registered trade union STATUS OF A REGISTERED UNION It becomes a body corporate It gets a common seal It can buy and hold movable and immovable property It can enter into contracts with others It can sue and be sued in its name