Trade union introduction objectives and functions:
Table of Contents
Introduction:
Owner and worker conflicts are common, the main reason for this is the conflicting interests of both. Employers want to maximize profits by employing workers, and workers want to get their fair share. So they try to unite to protect their interests. A worker individually is very helpless in protecting his interests because he is not equally competent in negotiating with the employer. Therefore, to increase his power and protect his interests, and make concerted efforts against the owner, he has to join the association. The system of unification of the workers is called a trade union. https://bdfabric.com/procedures-for-resolving-industrial-disputes/
Objectives of trade union:
The purpose of trade unions is to protect workers from oppression by employers and to uphold their socio-economic, psychological, political, and economic rights.
The objectives of the trade union are mentioned below:
1. Wages and other financial benefits:
One of the main objectives of trade unions is to ensure fair wages and other financial benefits for their members.
2. Job security provisions:
One of the objectives of the trade union is to ensure the permanence of the employment of the workers and to make arrangements for retrenchment.
3. Establishing industrial relations:
Establishing good industrial relations by reducing the conflict between workers and management is another objective of the trade union.
4. Professional dignity enhancement:
The purpose of the trade union is to increase the self-awareness and professional dignity of the workers.
5. Bargaining:
One of the objectives of the trade union is to engage in joint negotiations with the employer management as a representative of the workers.
Other purposes of trade union:
6. Gaining the ability to influence management.
7. To formulate and enforce laws in favor of labor interests by influencing the government.
8. To provide a better working environment for the workers.
9. Satisfactory arrangement of workers’ working hours or tenure, leaves, etc.
10. To make arrangements for the nepotism and corruption of the management.
Functions of trade union:
The workers alone are weaker than the employers, so the main task of the trade union is to realize the just interests of the workers. Workers’ unions carry out welfare work for the welfare of the workers, for the education and welfare of their children. Workers’ unions establish workers’ rights through joint negotiations with employers as workers’ representatives. Trade unions try to keep labor and industrial laws in favor of the workers through political activities. If the conventional labor and industrial law do not follow any factory or industrial establishment, then the trade unions are compelled to follow it through struggle activities. https://bdfabric.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-employee-merit-rating/
The functions of the trade union are briefly described below:
A) Work related to trade union members:
(i) To free the workers from all kinds of harassment.
(ii) To protect the members from the rational and dishonest labor behavior of the management.
(iii) Provide safe working conditions and working environment.
(iv) To create pressure for an increase in salaries, wages, and allowances of employees.
(v) Ensuring access to social justice.
(vi) To address the grievances of the employees and to start the process of prosecution.
(vii) Emphasis on settlement of industrial disputes through negotiation, joint consultation, joint bargaining, and voluntary mediation.
B) Trade union introduction objectives and functions–Works related to industry:
(i) Adherence to the norms and code of conduct of the organization.
(ii) To strive to increase production and improve its quality.
(iii) To assist in the provision of discipline.
(iv) To create opportunities for employees to participate in the management and to increase collaboration between workers and management.
(v) To arrange for proper communication with the management.
C) Work related to trade unions:
(1) To formulate policies and plans in coordination with other organizations.
(ii) To improve the financial condition of the Union.
(iii) To preserve and develop trade union democracy.
(iv) Arranging for the training of members to acquire leadership skills.
(v) Reducing inter- and inter-union antagonism.
D) Functions related to society:
(i) To provide constructive assistance in the formulation and implementation of national development policies.
(ii) To participate in programs like protection of national unity, population control, afforestation, etc.
(iii) Resistance from society against corruption, nepotism, bias, the influence of regionalism, rising commodity prices, communalism, etc.
