What are trade unions? We hear about them all the time and yet very few people know about them and what they have to offer. A trade union, also known as a labour unions, are organizations of workers who have chosen to unite together to be able to achieve common goals such as protecting the integrity of its trade, achieving well deserved higher pay, increasing the number of employees an employer hires and obtain better working conditions. Through its leadership, the trade union is able to bargain with the employer on behalf of members and negotiate labour contracts with the employer. The well known purpose of such associations is to maintain or improve the conditions of their employment. This can include the negotiation of wages, work rules, complaint procedures, rules and regulations, firing and promotion of worker, the benefits, workplace safety and policies.
Unions can organize a certain section of skilled workers or attempt to organize all workers within a particular industry. The agreements that are negotiated by the unions are binging on the rank and file members and the employer. In some cases, even non-member workers. Trade unions are supposed to have a constitution which includes the details of the governance if their bargaining unit and also have governance at various levels of government, depending on the industry that binds them legally to their negotiations and functioning.
With trade unions originating from Europe, they became very popular in various countries