Trade Unions Flashcards

A organisation that, through its leadership. bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contractors (collective bargaining) with employers.

They look after the interests of their members, but also recognise the advantages of working in partnership with employers. this is because a successful, profitable business is good for workers and therefore good for the union and its members

1. More powerful voice when bargaining as a group
2. Improved conditions of employment, e.g. rates of pay, holidays, hours of work
3. Workers will have their individual rights better protected e.g. if dismissed unfairly or discriminated against

• An employer association is an organisation that represents a group of employers who share similar interests or areas of trade and aims to promote and represent their opinions and concerns.

• Employer associations generally charge each of their members’ annual fees. In exchange, members receive advice and information designed to help them improve the functioning of their business.

EMA (The employers and manufactures association)

Is a process where two parties (groups or individuals) discuss how to achieve an outcome acceptable to both. The aim is that both parties will benefit from the outcome. Negotiations usually focus on pay and working conditions, and also occasionally on redundancies, closures and dismissals.

-Increased pay (justified by cost of living increases, profitability of the organisation, Higher pay in comparable industries/companies, higher productivity)-Better working conditions (safer, fair expectations, smaller class sizes for teachers)

The process of negotiation between the representatives of the employees (usually trade union officials) and management, who represent the employer. They are trying to negotiate a collective aagreement

• Collective bargaining makes negotiation simpler for management, as they need only have one set of discussions rather than individual discussions with each worker.
• It gives the employees much greater bargaining power, as threats of collective action can force management to concede terms.

Go slows, overtime bans, strike action

• workers perform their jobs as usual, except that they do so at a slower pace than normal. This reduces productivity, but it is difficult to discipline workers who are still working, and may not admit to deliberately producing less. Go-slows can be very effective when deadlines approach so that production targets need to be met quickly.

When deadlines approach, it is sometimes necessary for management to ask workers to work extra hours (overtime) to ensure that production targets are met. By refusing to work overtime (which is voluntary) the workers can put pressure on management.

A strike is a complete withdrawal of labour - a refusal to work. This is a last resort, and usually happens after negotiations have failed and other forms of action have been exhausted. The union members will vote on such action. In certain circumstances, such as the "unfair" dismissal of a worker, the union members may "walk-out" as a sign of protest.

Employers may desire

• lower costs of production in order to maintain/establish a competitive advantage
• improved levels of productivity
• greater workforce flexibility
• agreements for workers to work overtime when needed

Public relations, closure, lock outs