1. What I have learnt this module. ‘ Trade Unions’ By Sarah Bennett Student Number: 1101773 E – Portfolio, Mahara Employee Relations

2. What are Trade Unions? A labour union of workers in a particular trade. An organisation which employees join in order to gain greater power and security at work. Union membership can provide greater influence collectively with employers than workers have as separate individuals.

3. What Trade Union want? Higher rates of pay Increasing the amount of employees Improving working conditions Job security for staff Influence over government policy

4. What’s in it for me? Can vote of pay offers Gain and develop skills Support your work colleagues Free pension and legal advice

5. How do I become involved? Ask people at your place of work which TU they are with. Representatives are elected by staff. Pay for a membership (Unison starts at £1.30 a month) Membership is dependent on your annual salary.

6. Collective Bargaining Negotiation between an employer and Trade Union. Unions and employers need to agree on how the arrangement operates. Less time consuming Unions have experience and knowledge Introduced in the 1970s

7. How has Trade Unions helped me? Learning about Trade Unions in Employee Relations has been incredibly beneficial as before I started this module I was unsure as to what Trade Unions were. I now like to think I have sufficient knowledge on this topic and feel confident I could explain TU to someone and enable them to understand. My understanding of this important ER topic can be reinforced with my previous slides. I believe that having a Trade Union representative for companies can be valuable as it enables employers to have someone to go to with any issues or concerns they have. From my own knowledge I know that no boss can refuse an employer to join a trade union, the only exception for this is if you’re in the Army. However musicians in the Army are exempt from this and are able to join unions.

8. Useful Links http://www.worksmart.org.uk/unionfinder/ https://www.gov.uk/join-trade-union/trade- union-membership-your-employment-rights https://www.gov.uk/join-trade-union/trade- union-membership-your-employment-rights http://www.stonewall.org.uk/beyond_barriers/c ommunity/diverse_communities_active_lives/rai sing_our_voices/1093.asp#6