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Role of Trade
Unions and
Human Rights
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United We Stand, Divided We Fall

 Collective bargaining is a process of negotiation

adopted by the employers and the organized
workers represented by their union, in order to
determine the terms and conditions of employment.
 Dale Yoder says, “Trade union means a continuing
long-term association of employees formed and
maintained for the specific purpose of advancing
and protecting the interest of their members in their
working relationship.”
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Definition of Trade Union

 Section 2(h) of Trade Union Act 1926 states that a

trade union means any combination, whether
temporary or permanent, formed primarily for the
purpose of regulating relations between workmen
and employers or between workmen and workmen
or between employers and employers or for the
purpose of imposing restrictive conditions on the
conduct of any trade or business and includes a
federation of two or more trade unions.
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Why Do Workers Join Trade Unions

 To attain economic security

 To improve their bargaining power and balance it

with the management
 To inform, put forward and express their views

 To express their grievance

 To get protection for unexpected economic needs

 To satisfy social and psychological needs

 To get a sense of belonging and secure power

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Objectives of Trade Unions

 To ensure the steady employment

 Rationalization of personnel policies

 Voice in decisions affecting workers

 Recognition and participation

 Ensuring the adherence of legislative enactments

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Functions of Trade Unions

 To get higher wages and better living conditions

 To acquire the control of industry or workplace by

workers
 Raising the status of workers as partners of an
industry
 Provide self confidence

 To promote discipline and sincerity among the

workers
 Minimise the helplessness of workers through
collective bargaining
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Social Responsibilities of Trade
Unions

 Education and awareness amongst labour, which

will result in cooperation and understanding
 The act and deliberation with the employer should
be in the manner so that consensus becomes part
of economic growth and development.
 The labour should become organized in all sectors
to uplift them.
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Gandhian Trusteeship Approach

 The principle of trusteeship expresses the inherent

responsibility of a business enterprise to its
customers, workers, shareholders and the
community, and the mutual responsibility of thereto
one another.
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Way Forward

Trade unions can be effective in protecting the rights of

workers:
1. When there is one strong union in a plant.

2. No political interference in industrial disputes.

3. There has to be greater emphasis on mutual

accommodation rather than conflict.
4. Both the trade unions and management should have
strong faith and trust in collective bargaining and other
peaceful means of settling the issues between them.
5. Adjudication should be resorted to only when all other
remedies have failed.