Trade Union Issues and Rights

What is a trade union?

A trade union is an organized group of workers. Its main objective is to look after and advance the interests of its members.

A union often discusses agreements with company on reimburse and conditions. It may also offer legal and financial advice, illness remuneration and education facilities to its members.

Trade union appreciation

Employers which recognize any union, will discuss with those union(s) over members' pay and conditions.

Many acknowledgment agreements are reached voluntarily. If agreement can't be reached and the organization employs more than 20 people, a union may apply for statutory recognition. To do so, it must first ask for recognition from the manager in writing.

Collective negotiation.

If a union is formally recognized by an employer, it can negotiate with the employer over terms and conditions. This is known as 'collective bargaining'.

For collective negotiation to work, unions and employers need to agree on how the arrangement is to operate. They might, for example, make agreements providing for the deduction of union subscriptions from members' wages, who is to represent workers in negotiations and how often meetings will take place.

Both these agreements on procedure and agreements between employers and unions changing the terms applying to workers (for example, a pay increase) are called 'collective agreements'. Your contract of employment will probably set out which collective agreements cover you. It's possible that a union may negotiate on your behalf even if you're not a member.

Joining a trade union

Why join a union?

Some workers join a trade union because they believe that a union can:

negotiate better pay
negotiate better working conditions, such as more holidays or improved health and safety
provide training for new skills
give general advice and support

Union members have the right to be attended to a discipline or grievance hearing by a trade union representative (although trade unions are not compelled to provide this). All employees, in spite of whether they are union members or not, are entitled to be accompanied by a work colleague.

Recognized unions also have rights to consultation where redundancies or a transfer of business are proposed.

There is a regular donation cost for union membership. Different rates may apply to trainees and part-timers. Unions will not normally help with problems which pre-date membership.

How to join

If you want to join a recognized union in your workplace, you could approach a representative for information, for example, the shop steward. Otherwise, contact the TUC to find out which union is relevant to you.

Trade union-related rights

The law gives you the right to join a trade union wherever you work. This right applies whether a union has been renowned or not.

You're protected from being disadvantaged for being a union member. Specifically trade union membership is an unlawful reason for:

reject you employment
dismissing you
selecting you for redundancy

The law gives you the right not to join a trade union. The same protection applies to you as it does to union members. In particular, employers are no longer permitted to operate a 'closed shop' (that is, make all workers join the employer's preferred union).

An employer can't deduct payments from you, for example, to a union or charity, in lieu of union association exclusive of your permission.

Trade union activities

When a union is recognized by an employer, members have the right to time off at an appropriate time to take part in trade union activities. These may include: