The origins and development of unions dates back to 1800, when industrialization brought in large numbers of immigrants, women and children. In the beginning, workers who were unskilled or only semi-skilled spontaneously formed unions. Catholicism also encouraged the formation of trade unions at the end the 19th century. Workers have become a major part of our world today. Workers are now a priority for employers. Trade Unions are also being formed by the employees to protect themselves. Globally, managers have realised that dialogue can be the best solution to any problem. Unity is crucial for the employees in order to be protected from exploitation. Trade unions are important because of this.
What is a Trade Union? What is a Trade Union? This question is difficult to answer, as each worker will have his or her own reason for joining a trade union. Researchers have found that unionization is not just about better wages or working conditions. According to a study conducted recently, the average salary for unionized employees was 781$ compared to 612$ for non-unionized employees. The union members also receive more benefits, such as paid holidays, unpaid leave, insurance benefits, and sick leaves. According to studies, two main factors are the unfairness of employers and the power of the union.
Bottom line, workers often join unions due to a belief they hold. They think that by joining together, they can defend themselves against management. In reality, low morale and fear of losing their jobs, as well as arbitrary management practices, encourage unionization. In a recent survey, nurses said that they formed unions when they felt disrespected and were underpaid.
The importance of trade unions for employees: Employees who are members of a union earn higher wages than those who are not. In some cases, trade unions act as workers’ representatives in legal matters. Employees have better protection of their rights. They cannot, for example, be removed unjustly from their jobs.
To Employers: Employees are more motivated when their rights as individuals are protected and represented. This leads to higher productivity and increased efficiency.
What is collective bargaining?It’s a process whereby representatives of management, unions and employees meet to discuss wages, hours of work and other conditions and terms of employment. It’s a give-and-take process aimed at reaching a solution that is beneficial for both parties. Collective bargaining has the important feature of being a continuous process. The process doesn’t end when an agreement is reached. The process continues even after the agreement has been reached. The “good-faith bargaining” principle is central to effective labor management relations. It means that neither party can force the other to accept a particular proposal. No concessions are required by either party. Conventions international on human right recognizes the right of collective bargaining. The right to join a trade union is recognized in Article 23 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The International Labor Organization also recognizes this right in item 2(a).
