Employer/ Employee relationship

Trade Unions

Fundamental purpose of Trade unions is to protect the interests of their members. The main aim is to redress the balance of power between employers and employees. Emmott (2008). The basis of the employment relationship is the contract of employment. But this is not a contract between equals. Employers are almost always in a stronger position to dictate the terms of the contract than individual employees.

Trade unions provide their workers with a ‘collective voice’ to make their wishes known to management and bring actual and desired conditions closer, Freeman and Medoff (1984).  This applies not only to terms of employment such as pay, working hours and holidays, but also to the way in which individuals are treated in such aspects of employment as the redress of grievances, discipline and redundancy. Trade unions are also let management to know that there will be, an alternative view on key issues which affecting employees. More broadly, unions may see their role as that of participating with management on decision making on matters affecting their members’ interests, yet unions often work in tandem with employers for mutual gain based on productivity growth.

Trade unions have had two specific rolls, 1) to secure, through collective bargaining, improved terms and conditions for their members, and 2) to provide protection, support and advice to their members as individual employees. An additional role, that of providing legal, financial and other services to their members, has come to the fore more recently.

Unions can be organized in two basic ways. Craft unions- represent workers who have the same skill or work in the same profession. The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and the National Football League Players’ Association are both craft unions. Industrial unions - represent workers who are employed in the same industry regardless of their specific skills or profession. The Transport Workers Union and the United Steelworkers of America are both examples of industrial unions.

Conclusion

The key reasons why people may join a trade union include obtaining external support and protection from employment problems or seeking improvements in pay and terms and conditions. They may also join because union membership is common at a workplace or because of a belief in unionism.

References
Armstrong, M., (2009), 11^th ed , A hand Book of Human Resource Management Practice
Kogan Page, UK.
Emmott, M (2008) .Is there a return to ‘old style industrial relations?, Impact, February, pp 6–7.
Freeman, R E and Medoff, J (1984) .What do Unions do?, Basic Books, New York.
www.cengage.com/resource_uploads/downloads/1111221464_263559.pdf
Accessed on 13-11-2017 at 8.45 pm.