Why are unions needed and what is their role

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

There are many conflicting opinions about the trade union about its mission and tasks. Some do not understand its value at all, considering these organizations to be useless in reality, of no use. It may be that some unions do not live up to expectations, but in this article we will uncover the true goals and find out why unions are needed.

The role of the trade union in society

A trade union is an association of members of professional organizations to resolve common internal issues. It's no secret that for many, this is just a faded association with the issuance of trade union vouchers to sanatoriums and other pleasant bonuses. The real goal is to protect the rights of the labor force, more precisely, workers and support their interests.

There are many trade unions. In order to become a member of the association, you must write 2 applications for membership. One is written for the trade union committee, the other is sent to the accounting department. Its content should notify about the collection of membership fees.contributions. Further, after consideration of all applications, a decision is made on the admission of the employee to the organization.

If there is no trade union at your own enterprise, the employees themselves can create it. To do this, at least 3 people must gather with the initiative.

The role of the union is to protect the rights of its team in case of disputes, labor violations and disagreements. If an employee has problems with management, he can safely turn to the trade union for help, where the more experienced will understand the situation, take on the role of protection and try to defend the position of the employee on the legal rights of their organization.

Thus, the social role of the trade union is to solve the following problems:

• determining the operating mode;
• analysis of social issues;
• pension;
• wages of the working population;
• workflow security;
• pen alties and violations;
• labor safety.

Functions and tasks

In order to clearly understand why a trade union is needed, let's define its main functions of work:

1. Improves working conditions and pay.
2. Interacts with higher authorities.
3. Protects the interests of workers.
4. Supervises compliance with the law between the leader and the subordinate.

It is not uncommon when the policy of the trade union is aimed at the cultural and educational process of its members in the spirit of patriotism.

The trade union has the right to carry out its activities in relation to:

• participation in discussions of new bills proposed by the authorities;
• participation in the management of state structures created through financial membership fees;
• creating their own tools to control working conditions;
• creating collective agreements;
• negotiating;
• protect members of the union;
• organizing rallies and meetings;
• statement of their claims based on the interests of workers;
• drawing the attention of managers to violations of rights.

When dismissing an employee, the opinion of the trade union is taken into account and agreed with the employer. Considering the reasons for dismissal, the trade union can influence the future fate of the employee in the labor activity in the best possible way. The opportunity to defend the rights of a trade union member has good chances, but only if the employee has not violated the rules of the employment contract and if this does not include layoffs.

Functions are based on the Federal Law of the Russian Federation "On trade unions, their rights and guarantees of activity." Trade union organizations are also allowed to own land plots, buildings, sports and he alth complexes, and have their own property.

Role in the labor market

The role of trade unions in the labor market is incredibly important. Their activity performs essential tasks in the life of working structures. For example, it is responsible for the growth of wages and the improvement of working conditions, which is very important in the development of the working link, and withthe financial side affects the market economy.

However, in the competitive labor market, trade unions are perceived in two ways. Some of them actively increase the demand for labor, making it more efficient and of high quality, while others are aimed at limiting the supply of labor activity.

Restriction of offers - the result of the activities of associations to include this speci alty in the list of licensed professions. This practice is widespread in developed countries. It may also be related to reduced working hours, minimizing the amount of work, curbing the immigration of foreign workers, minimum wages, etc.

Charter

Basic organizational rules are formed in the Charter of the trade union. The list of conditional items of which it consists is below.

1. Name, purpose, functions, tasks of the organization.
2. Groups and divisions to which union members belong.
3. Rules for changes to the Charter and other documentation.
4. Union membership.
5. Requirements for trade union members, rights and obligations.
6. Organizational issues responsible for the activities of the association.
7. Sources of funding.
8. Membership fees.
9. Rules for managing union property.

For state registration, you must provide the Charter, the original document on the decision of the congress of the trade union association, the decision to approve the Charter and the list of those wishing to join the trade union.

When presenting this package of documents to the executivebodies the organization is registered as a legal entity.

Independent Trade Union

There are trade unions formed in private organizations that have nothing to do with state bodies. Their activities are carried out independently of other public structures. It is these associations that are called independent trade unions.

The development of the charter and other documentation is carried out independently, as well as the conduct of the main activity with its own goals and principles of work. Trade union members themselves elect the governing body and organize meetings, conferences, and so on. They have the right to cooperate with other associations, including foreign ones.

Union rights

Becoming a full member of the trade union, the employee receives special privileges:

• legal free assistance in case of labor litigation;
• using enterprise benefits;
• purchasing vouchers to sanatoriums and boarding houses;
• calling to his own support of other union members in case of an unfair decision of the leadership in relation to him;
• involving the trade union in resolving issues related to working conditions or pay;
• professional development with participation in the trade union;
• insurance for possible work-related injuries.

All these privileges, which are not enjoyed by people who are not members of the union, also answer the question of why a union is needed. Who will benefit from it?

What isunion card

It has a number of its advantages, which are described above. But first of all, it is the main confirmation that the employee is a member of the trade union. In addition, he imposes certain obligations that must be observed by all members of the association.

1. Observe the rules of the Bylaws and all of its accompanying provisions.
2. Pay monthly membership fees.
3. Strongly support the activities of the union.
4. Participate in the life of the collective and support collective action.
5. Attend meetings and events.
6. Do not violate the rules of the Charter.
7. Do no harm to the organization and team members.
8. Personally contribute to the realization of all collective ideas and goals.
9. Don't lose your union card.

Union ticket

All members of the trade union, as a rule, get various vacation vouchers. Basically, they do not get for free, but with a small percentage of a discount from 15 to 50%. To get a ticket, you first need to enter the trade union, and then use its privileges for members.

Usually, when the possibility of a vacation or a he alth trip for employees is brewing, the trade union organization itself makes an offer to everyone. But there is a chance that a trade union ticket to a sanatorium will be issued upon personal appeal and application. After payment, the ticket is issued in the regional organization. However, you need to know that the resort can cancelbooking for some independent reason, the chairman of the union will be responsible for this point.

Flaws of the trade union movement

The decision to join a union is voluntary. No one can legally force a person to join. Membership has many benefits, but what are the downsides that a member can expect?

1. Membership fee. Some consider the only disadvantage is that upon joining, the participant is required to pay a monthly membership fee. At the same time, there is an opinion that there is little real benefit from such an organization. It should be noted that here it makes sense to review all the advantages and disadvantages of this trade union. Organizations themselves often differ in their structure and conduct of activities, and not all, unfortunately, have a conscientious policy.
2. Some private unions are unable to solve the problem and protect the worker. Especially if the case went to court, one cannot be sure of the competence of those who will defend the interests.
3. The imposition of rules. Often, workers accuse trade unions of the fact that their position and charters are built at the suggestion of certain bodies and carry out their instructions, pursuing selfish goals.
4. Some unions do not clearly guarantee their activities.

The functions of trade unions, the goals of the organization should be taken into account by those who joined it.

Conclusion

So we figured out why unions are needed. They are required by both employees and employers, as they solve many organizational issues. Union functions justify interestboth sides in their activities, but, unfortunately, not all modern associations can actually provide the expected assistance and fulfill their main social role.