trade unions Flashcards
what is a trade union?
a trade union is an organisation that ensures that its members interests are being protected.
functions of trade unions
to negotiate wages
to negotiate better working conditions
to defend members jobs and rights
adv (workers)- trade unions
job guarantee
workers benefit from collective bargaining by being able to negotiate better terms of labour
disadvantage (workers)- trade unions
workers may be paid less or not at all when industrial actions are being executed (even when they may not agree with it) as trade union members are unified.
members pay monthly dues
advantages (firms)- trade unions
negotiation time with trade unions takes less when compared to individuals
mutual respect which increases morale and relatively increases output
disadvantages(firms)- trade unions
businesses have high cost but low outputs when industrial actions are being executed.
higher wages bargained may reduce a firms profitability
advantages(economy)- trade unions
ensures that the labour force in the economy isn’t being exploited and their rights are being protected
disadvantages(economy)- trade unions
firms may decide to switch to capital intensive form of production when they are unable to meet trade unions expensive demands. this results in an increase in unemployment rate
general trade unions
contains workers from different industries and occupations
industrial unions
workers from the same industry
craft unions
workers with the same skills across different industries
non-manual unions
workers with official professions
strike
when worker refuse to work under conditions required by employers
picketing
when employees stand outside their work place with banners that signify that they are against their organisation
go-slow
when workers deliberately slow down the production process to reduce output (during their normal hours) which being paid
