Trade Unions

WHAT ARE TRADE UNIONS

A. Understanding the meaning / essence of trade union

Voluntary association/group of ________ having a common

purpose/goal/interest.
Purpose : Reducing inequalities, promoting, improving one’s
conditions
Very much acceptable in a democratic society as long it
follows the accepted norms of society

B. Trade union is an organization

I. Objectives
II. Types
III. Structure
IV. Membership
V. Leadership
 WHAT ARE TRADE UNIONS
B. Trade union as an organization

Objectives
Economic / Non-economic
Achieving objectives :
Retain some acceptability but not so
acceptable so as to be
psychologically absorbed by the
management

Various types and exists at various levels

Levels: Plant, Regional, National
Types: Craft, Industrial, General
 WHAT ARE TRADE UNIONS
Has a structure
Body of office bearers, Rules/regulations etc
Membership
Each type of union has its specific type of membership
Leadership
Low social acceptance
Insecurity
- Authority of a manager vis-à-vis leader
Exercises authority over those who has given
them authority
- Competition from rival union / “Unitarist
Management”
- Financial weakness
 WHAT ARE TRADE UNIONS

D. Are Trade Union successful ?

Pluralist

“Trade Unions are a mixture of movement and

organization. Trade Unions need organization for their
power and movement for their vitality” (Flanders)

Unfortunately most unions having emerged as an

organization become oblivious to the movement which
provided the initial impetus to organize.
Loss of a sense of movement and the neglect of goals other
than the material have resulted in the stagnation of the
labour movement.
 WHAT ARE TRADE UNIONS
D. Are Trade Union successful ?

Revolutionary

Trade union consciousness

Confines to the struggle for improving the economic condition
of employees

Social Democratic consciousness

Is the struggle of the working class for the abolition of the
social system that compels the propertyless to sell
themselves to the rich
 WHAT ARE TRADE UNIONS

Revolutionary

Trade Unions are schools of socialism and organizing centres,

which impart class training to the workers & prepare them for
their historic mission

They cannot get entrapped in Trade union consciousness,

but move into Social Democratic consciousness. Otherwise
they cannot fulfill the historic mission.