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)

Member Service
(Education, Objective of Trade Negotiation
Training, Welfare, Unions (Collective
Discounts, Loans) Bargaining)

Voice in decisions (Lay off,

Retrenchment) affecting
workers
 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 / communist
system.
B. Classified on basis of membership structure
i. Craft Union
ii. Staff Union
iii. Industrial Union
Reasons For Joining Trade Unions

1. Greater Bargaining Power

2. Minimize Discrimination
3. Sense of Security
4. Sense of Participation
5. Sense of Belongingness
6. Platform for self expression
7. 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) and
12. United Trade Union Congress - Lenin Sarani
(UTUC - LS)
 Union Problems

Trade union leadership

Multiple unions
Union rivalry
Finance
Other problems
illiteracy
Uneven growth
Low membership
Heterogeneous nature of labour
Lack of interest
Absence of paid office bearers