Trade Union

Meaning A trade union (British English), labour union (Canadian English) or labor union (American English) The most common purpose of these associations or unions is "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment".

Meaning is an organization of workers who have banded together to achieve common goals such as protecting the integrity of its trade, achieving higher pay, increasing the number of employees an employer hires, and better working conditions.

Definition An organisation whose membership consists of workers and union leaders united to protect and promote their common interests. (Business Dictionary).

Significant by helping in the recruitment and selection of workers. by inculcating discipline among the workforce by enabling settlement of industrial disputes in a rational manner by helping social adjustments. Workers have to adjust themselves to the new working conditions, the new rules and policies.

History of Trade Unions the first Phase(1850-1900) The Second Phase(1900-1946) The Third Phase(1947)

The Third Phase The third phase began with the emergence of Independent India (1947). The partition of country affected the trade union movement particularly Bengal & Punjab. By 1949, four central trade union organizations were functioning in the country:

The All India Trade Union Congress The Indian National Trade Union Congress The Hindu Mazdoor Sang The United Trade Union Congress

Objectives of Trade Unions To improve the economic lot of employees by securing for them better wages To secure better working conditions for workers To secure bonus for the employees from the profit of the concern To secure welfare of employees through group schemes which give benefit to every employee To protect the interest of employees by taking active participation in the management To secure social welfare of the employees To secure organizational stability, growth & stability

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

Reason for joining Trade Unions Greater Bargaining Power Minimize Discrimination Sense of Security Sense of Participation Sense of Belongingness Platform for self expression Betterment of relationships

Rights & Responsibilities To protest & take industrial action To consultation about changes in work practice To recruit new members To Negotiate on their members behalf Participation in election Participation in Industrial action

Responsibilities To work with in law To listen to members view To not pressurize non members to join To keep their members informed Vote in election Report problem to representatives Act within the law when taking part in action

Types of Trade Unions Craft / Skill union : These unions represents the skilled workers Eg. Musician Industrial Union : These unions represents the different industries Eg. Fire Brigade Union General Union : These represent workers from different industries & any level of skills Eg. Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) White Collars Union : They represents office workers Eg. National Union of Teachers

Trade Unions in India The Indian workforce consists of 430 million workers, growing 2% annually. The Indian labor markets consist of three sectors: The rural workers, who constitute about 60 per cent of the workforce. Organized sector, which employs 8 per cent of workforce. The urban informal sector (which includes the growing software industry and other services, not included in the formal sector) which constitutes the rest 32 per cent of the workforce.

At present there are twelve Central Trade Union Organizations in India All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat (HMKP) Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) Indian Federation of Free Trade Unions (IFFTU) Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU) National Labor Organization (NLO) Trade Unions Co-ordination Centre (TUCC) United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) and United Trade Union Congress - Lenin Sarani (UTUC - LS)

Problems & Weakness of Trade Unions Uneven Growth Limited Membership Multiplicity of Unions Outside Leadership Financial Problems Indifferent attitude of workers