Trade Unions

Learning objective

Identify and appraise worker representation models of

IR in the form of TU
Introduction
Without representations, employees are essentially
powerless (influencing decisions)
•The term, ‘representation’ refers to the formal
designation of certain organizational institutions &
processes as the means whereby employees can, on
collective basis, enter into dialogue with management,
express their views & seek to influence management
decision making. (Salamon 2000: 185)
Workplace representation

Direct participation
Individualism’ – unitary
Indirect participation (representative)
‘Collectivism’ – pluralist & conflict
Unionism
Non-union
Workplace representation

Non-union
 worker participation vs industrial democracy
TU
 formation
 recognition
Trade Union
Definition –
•any organization, whose membership consist of
employees, which seeks to organize & represent their
interest both in the workplace & society & in
particular, seeks to regulate the employment
relationship through the direct process of CB with
management

(Salamon, 2000: 93)

TU origin & development

Six explanations (1 - Psychological)

TU are the product of worker’s psychological
alienation
Tu intend to infuse a sense of solidarity &
community in the minds of workers
TU are workers rebellion against extreme
individualism (promoted by modern industrial society)
TU origin & development
Six explanations (2 - Rightist)
TU are tools of state & management
TU meant to serve larger cause of improving
production & productivity
TU are responsible for creating a disciplined &
responsible workforce
TU origin & development
Six explanations (3 - Institutional)
TU grew due to state patronage
Socialist & Labor government (left wing) helped in
the expansion
Establishment’s of institutions (such as 3rd party)
provided a sense of a ‘sense of being listened to’.
TU origin & development
Six explanations (4 - Reformist)
TU seeks to reform management authoritative &
unregulated practices
Have some degree of workers control in IR
Agenda to reform capitalism through balanced &
regulated IR
TU origin & development
Six explanations (5 - Economic)
Economic-self interest is the major motivating factor
Workers intends to protect their job rights & improve
terms & conditions
TU origin & development
Six explanations (6 - Marxist)
TU are results of modern industrial capitalism
TU are organized to confer more political &
economic power
Workers intends to improve terms & conditions are
immediate objectives
TU ultimate objectives is the destruction of
capitalism
Trade Union Recognition
TU(s) are accepted by management as the
representative of all, or a group, of employees for the
purpose of jointly determining their terms &
conditions
•Voluntary

for the purpose of CB

•Compulsory
Trade Union Recognition

CB can take place in;

"shop-floor“ / enterprise level - micro (decentralize),
Regional / industry level- meso (centralize), and
National level – macro (centralize).
Employees objectives in joining unions
Dissatisfaction

Belief in collective action

Belief in utility
Trade union objectives
Providing direct services to their members

Providing for programs improving conditions of

employment

Providing programs for safeguarding their interests as

organisations

Pursuing non industrial objectives of their members

Union strategies
Collective bargaining

Conciliation and arbitration

Industrial pressure

Political action
Union structure
Plant level

Branch level

District or regional level

National level
Types of unions

Craft union – skilled workers of a particular trade come

together to protect and upgrade their skills and conditions
of work.
Occupational unions – cater for employees of a particular
occupation. (Doctors and medical professional union)
Industrial unions- cover all employees in a particular
industry. (Fiji Bank Employees Union)

General unions – accept membership of all workers

regardless of skill, occupation, or industry. (National
union of factory and commercial workers)
Summary

TU an important mechanism for the representation of

employee interests
Decline in union density
–adoption of new strategies for recruitment and
organisation from 1990s
–unclear yet as to whether these strategies are working