Question

‘Trade Unions provide workers with collective bargaining power, enabling them to negotiate for better benefits.’ 

Explain any five functions of a Trade Union.

Answer 1

The following are the five functions of a Trade Union:

1. Protection: Workers are protected by trade unions from all kinds of abuse by employers and political parties. When you belong to a union, you are protected from unfair labor practices and horrible management. It also tries to change how people are seen in business and society. Trade groups fight against layoffs for their members and help make sure that workers have steady jobs. Employers can’t do whatever they want when there are unions.
2. Proper Standard of Living: Unions work to ensure that workers receive fair pay, good working conditions, and benefits such as health care, housing, leisure, and Social Security so they can live well. A single worker can’t force a boss to pay them fairly or give them good working conditions. He joins a union because it has more negotiating power to secure these perks for workers.
3. Economic Security: Unions protect their members from various economic hazards such as illness, accidental injuries, and unemployment. They secure compensation from employers. Unions also provide financial assistance to workers during distress.
4. Sense of Belonging: An ordinary worker has little sense of belonging in modern industry. By joining a union, he can associate with fellow workers and gain social respect. Trade unions foster a spirit of self-respect and self-reliance among workers.
5. Advice: A trade union can provide management with information and tips on how to handle employees. Unions also teach workers to be careful about how they exercise their rights. As a result, unions help employers keep workers in line and boost output.