4th Sem- HRM- 403 -Trade Union

Dr Jyotirmayee Choudhury
 Trade Union
• Trade Union
• Causes of Trade Union
• Features of Trade Union
• Purpose of Trade Union
• Objectives
• Instruments for fulfillment of Objectives
• Importance of Trade Union
• Reasons for joining Trade Union
• Functions of Trade Union
• Conclusion
Trade Union

Introduction
TU is a continuous association of wage earners for
the purpose of maintaining and improving the
conditions of their working lives-Webbs
Regulating the relation between workmen- master or
workmen-workmen or master-master for imposing of
restrictive condition on the conduct of any trade or
business and also provision of benefits to others
Trade Union

According to TU Act 1926---

TU is any combination , whether temporary or
permanent formed primarily for the purpose of
regulating the relations between
workmen- employers, workmen- workmen,
employers- employers
For imposing of restrictive conditions on trade or
business,
Includes any federation of two or more trade-unions
Causes of Trade Unionism

Causes of Trade Unionism:

• Trade union emerged due to group psychology
• Trade union is an organizing centre,
• It provide the locus for collecting the forces for working
class
• Trade union provide job security to the employees.
• Trade union can negotiate with management on the
industrial conflicts.
• Right of workers i.e. wages and conditions of work are
protected by the trade union.
Features of Trade Union

1. It is an association of employers or
employees or of independent workers, in India
– Merchants or employers association
– General labour union
– Friendly societies
– Combination of intellectual labour like-all India
teachers association
Features of Trade Union

 2. Labour unions are relatively permanent

association of workers
 Not temporary or casual and most frequently
used techniques by TU is collective
bargaining
Features of trade union

3. TU is an association of workers who are

engaged in –
– Protection of workers and provision for their security
– Improving the wages, conditions of workand
standard of living
– Raising the status of the workers as part of industry
and society as well
– Contributing in Nations socio economic development
Features of Trade Union

4. The character of TU has been constantly

changing
-Changes of technology
– Changes in system of production
– Recognised as legalised institution
– primarily interested in advancement of their own
member
– become institution interested in social, cultural and
political development of the country
... Features of trade union

5. The origin and growth of Tus have been

influenced by a number of ideologies-
– Socio economic political movement influenced TU
in other way
– Theory of class war by Marx and Engles influenced
Tus
– Under capitalism the principal function of TU has
been defensive for higher wages, betterment of
living and working condition
Purpose of Trade Union

 Employment Protection and Job Creation.

 Economic Protection.
 Social Status - Identity.
 Political Role - Democratic Institution
 Societal Obligation - Transformation.
 Competitiveness / Sustainable Development.
Objectives of Trade Union

 To represent workers on various participative forums

 To organisation of all eligible members under one platform;
 To represent the workers to management in cases of disputes/
differences
 To enter in the collective bargaining and other agreement on
behalf of workers
 To undertake various activities for the welfare of its members
 To provide benefit to members in case of sickness,
old age, trade disputes, unemployment, litigation and
also to provide funeral expenses.
Objectives of Trade Union

 Furtherance of political objectives.

 To participate in the work of any association
that furthers the activities oftrade unions and
its members.
 To arrange the necessary activities for the
social and moral up liftment of workers.
 To arrange for printing or publishing facilities
for the benefit of workers.
Instruments For Fulfilment of
Objectives

1. Organisation of unions
2. Recognition of unions as an exclusive bargaining agent
3. Collective Bargaining
4. Union security
5. Grievance processing and handling procedures
6. Negotiating arrangements with management
7. Arbitration
8. Political pressures
9. Mutual Insurance
Importance of Trade Unions

 For industrial peace

– Decisions taken through the process of collective
bargaining and negotiations between employer and
unions are more influential
– Effective communication between the workers and
the management
 Economic development
– Recruitment & selection
– Discipline among workforce
– Settlement of ID in rational manner
Reasons for Joining Trade
Union

 Greater Bargaining Power

 Minimize Discrimination
 Sense of Security
 Sense of Participation
 Sense of Belongingness
 Platform for self expression
 Betterment of relationships
... Functions of TU ...

 Intramural –
– Welfare schemes of the unions within factory premises to
improve workers conditions of employment, regulation of
hours of work, provision of rest, adequate wage,
sanitation, safety, security and continuity of employment
 Extramural-
Includes casual assistance both financial and medical like
provision for education, recreational or housing facilities,
funeral expenses, provision of social and religious benefit
Functions of TU ...

 Militant or protective function-

– For securing better condition of work and
employment for members through activities like
strike, gheraos
 Fraternal or positive function-
– Provides benefit, financial support to their
members during periods of temporary
unemployment
... Functions of TU

 Born of the necessity of workers to protect

and defend themselves from encroachment,
injustice
 To protect them as equal before the law
... Conclusion

 TU demands maintenance of industrial

democracy and retain characteristics of
– Economically oriented
– Instrument of defence
– Implies class distinction
– Out come of an individualistic society