Assignment on Trade Union

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Definition
A trade union is an organization created to improve conditions in the workplace. Whether the
issue is wages, sick time, or medical benefits, trade unions negotiate with employers on behalf of
union members. When employees and employers are unable to reach an agreement, trade union
leadership works with employers to negotiate a compromise. Regardless of the outcome, all
members of the trade union must follow the agreed upon solution.
Trade union is an organization of employees or workers who formally join together to promote,
protect, maintain and improve their social, economic, and political power of its members.
Some characteristics of a trade union are mentioned bellow Trade union is an association.
Association either of employees or employers or independent workers.
It is relatively permanent combination of workers.
It is association of workers engaged in securing economic benefits for its workers.
The character of trade unions has been constantly changing.
History

The first recognized trade union in the United States was the National Labor Union.
Created in 1866, the National Labor Union included a wide selection of workers, but it
disbanded after no significant accomplishments. In the 1860s, the Knights of Labor union
fought against hard labor for children and for a shortened workday. Since their inception,
trade unions have banded together workers from many industries to improve working
conditions.

Function

Trade unions work to improve the work environment and salaries of union members. The
leaders of the trade union negotiate with employers on behalf of the entire union for wage
increases, more vacation time, better working hours and benefits. Any decisions agreed
upon by the union leadership and employers are binding on all union members. However,
trade unions meet regularly to discuss complaints and concerns, as well as to vote on
these decisions prior to negotiations. If negotiations stall, many trade unions reserve the
right to strike.

Principles of trade union: Every organization has some principles. On the basis of these
principles workers, employees and organization are conducted. On this way trade union has some
principles which principles they follows. These principles are describing bellow:

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1. Unity is strength: The main principle of trade union is unity is strength. Without unity,
workers can not discuss about their problem with management which can solve the
management of this organization. Because management would not like to discuss with
one worker without any group of worker.
2. Equal pay for equal work or the same job: Every worker hope that he or she will get
reasonable salary or wages for his works at the same job. But sometime management does
unfair practice. The management does not pay equal wages for equal works.
3. Security of services: Employees feel insecure about their risky job in the factory. Only one
source of living is wages of workers. As a result, the worker fare loses the job. Only powerful
trade union can ensure permanent job security and safely work place by bargaining with
management.
Features of trade union in Bangladesh: Bangladesh is an agricultural country and also
developing country. So here worker are available working in the various industry. As a result
many trade unions are established. These trade unions has some features, these are discussed
bellow:
Leaders and members of the trade union are not well educated.
Trade union plays a great role in the movement of democracy.
Most of the trade unions are financially weak.
Maximum trade unions are interconnecting with political parties.
Effective, efficient, honest leaders are absent in trade union.
Leaders of trade unions are self oriented.
Discriminatory behavior is observed in the trade unions.
Why do workers join a trade union:
Workers join the trade union on the basis of this principles Unity is strength. And another
reason is describe bellow:
Getting proper wages: The main reason of joining the trade is gotten proper wages from the
management. As a result, they get economic security.
To restrain management: Sometimes the management takes action which is irrational, illogical,
discriminatory or prejudicial to the interests of labor. That time trade union takes initiative to
restrain management.
To secure end of the job: After ending the job, illness, accident, disability, unemployment and
old age to secure or protect their life by getting something from management
.
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 To communicate with management: To communicate their views, aims, ideas, feelings, and
frustrations to the management.
Recognition of work: Every worker want to get recognition of their work and these recognition
are promotion, economic facilities etc.
Establishment of cordial labor management relationship: By trade union worker can maintain
cordial relationship between worker and management. As a result, they can solve their problem
willingly.
How trade union objectives are achieved:
The organization of trade union on the basis of the expertise in an industry in which its
members are employed such as general unions and professional employees organizations.
Recognition of trade union is as the bargaining agent or representative union, which is entitled
to advocate the interest of its members.
Collective bargaining which is the essence of industrial relations.
Grievances processing and handling procedures are dealt with by correction of situation or by a
channeling.
Arbitration by which unsettled or unsolved disputes can be settled by an outside agency.
Political pressure exercised through legislators who are callable of bringing about changes in
labor laws.

Problems of Trade Union in Bangladesh:

1. Lack of consciousness: The major numbers of members of trade union are not actually
completely aware about their legal rights and duties. That is the reason they dont know
the favorable characteristics of trade unions. That is why in Bangladesh trade unions are
not strong enough to complete the need of the economy.
2. Lack of Unity: trade union is actually a unity of the labor force for assuring their need.
But in Bangladesh trade unions are separated for political influence. It is a shock that
only for difference in political view, every industry has at least three major parts of a
single union.
3. Lack of knowledge: In our country the level of workers is not properly educated. They
dont have enough knowledge about their rights and duties. In this case trade union could
be helpful very much to develop workers KSA, but the whole level of workers is lack in
knowledge. That is why they dont feel the need or contribution of trade unions; again
trade unions are banged here.

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4. Political influence: The most powerful and deep affecting barrier for the growth of trade
union of Bangladesh is its political environment. Most of the trade unions of Bangladesh
are not free from the political influence. Political leaders use the trade unions for illegal
purposes. For this the actual environment of trade union is not seen in Bangladesh. In
Bangladesh, trade unions work a part of political parties not as a free right saving
association.
5. Division of trade union: Bangladesh is a country where every organization has more
trade unions in name only. Those unions are driven by the political leaders of various
political parties. So a huge verity of problem arises in the organizations. The overall
productivity got down. Moreover trade union cannot play its role perfectly. That is why
disputes are created and more division are created under different political wings.
6.Financial Problems:The financial position of the trade unions is weak because their
average yearly income is very low and inadequate. The subscription rates are very low.
Under conditions of multiplicity of unions, a union interested in increasing its membership
figures keeps the subscription rate unduly low. As a result, the funds with the unions are
inadequate and they cannot undertake welfare programmes for their members. Another
reason for the weak financial position of union is that large amounts of subscription dues
remain unpaid by the workers. Besides this, unions do not have proper staff and organisation
to collect subscriptions.

A few suggestions for the development of such unions are:

One Union in One Industry: Multiplicity of unions in the same plant leads to inter-union
rivalry that ultimately cuts at the root of the trade union movement. It weakens the power for
collective bargaining and reduces the effectiveness of workers in securing their legitimate rights.
Therefore, there should be only one union in one industry.
Paid Union Officials: Generally, the trade unions avail the services of the honorary workers due
to lack of funds. The practice should be stopped because honorary office bearers cannot do full
justice to the task entrusted to them because of lack of time at their disposal. Suppose that you
are asked to do something in the office, which requires a lot of responsibility. You are not offered
any thing in return. Of course the motivational levels will come down unless and until you are a
very passionate or a committed person. The same applies to the officials of the unions. Therefore,
paid union officials should be employed who are persons of proven integrity and who are able to
evaluate the demands of workers so that they may negotiate with employers on equal footing.
Development of Leadership from Within: It is of crucial importance that trade unions are
managed by the workers, and not by outsiders. Leadership should be developed from within the
rank and file of the workers. We have already discussed the problems related to the outside
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leadership in the organisations. Please note that the outside leadership should not be encouraged
in the organisations because of the following reasons:

Present condition of trade union in Bangladesh: In Bangladesh trade union does not go
forward for some difficulties. The environment which is need for establishing an effective trade
union is not available in Bangladesh for this bad labor management relation system are liable.
Better labor management relation system creates discipline among the members. The effect and
effort of trade union is very weak in our country. The main cause behind weak trade union action
in Bangladesh is bad labor and management relation system. Management and labors stands
against each other, if the labor management relation goes wrong. In Bangladesh each and every
trade union is established with the help of political parties. Internal conflict is another problem of
trade union. They have contradiction among them. The trade union is divided into many groups.
So, the trade union commotion is failed. In Bangladesh one trade union stands against another
one. This clash does a great obstacle to the labor commotion. The labors who are engaged in
trade union are not well educated. The labors who are engaged in trade union are not efficient
and effective. The trade union of Bangladesh is financially very weak.
Workers join in a TRADE UNION to protect their ECONOMIC HAZARDS and other
problems, but todays trade union is deviated from their principles and involved into destructive
activities. So the government should take initiatives to stop the unethical and unlawful activities
of trade union.

Reference

Books on Industrial Relation by Dale Yoder and Paul D.Staudohar,Prentice hall of

India.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_union

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