tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24356342543169005922024-02-19T22:41:14.502-08:00UnionsLIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300173779860937977noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2435634254316900592.post-75191107523600552292009-05-18T02:33:00.000-07:002009-05-18T02:34:15.895-07:00Unions<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A trade union or labor union is an organization of workers who have banded together to achieve common goals in key areas and working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members (rank and file members) and negotiates labor contracts (Collective bargaining) with employers. This may include the negotiation of wages, work rules, complaint procedures, rules governing hiring, firing and promotion of workers, benefits, workplace safety and policies. The agreements negotiated by the union leaders are binding on the rank and file members and the employer and in some cases on other non-member workers.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These organizations may comprise individual workers, professionals, past workers, or the unemployed. The most common, but by no means only, purpose of these organizations is "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment".</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Over the last three hundred years, many trade unions have developed into a number of forms, influenced by differing political and economic regimes. The immediate objectives and activities of trade unions vary, but may include:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Provision of benefits to members: Early trade unions, like Friendly Societies, often provided a range of benefits to insure members against unemployment, ill health, old age and funeral expenses. In many developed countries, these functions have been assumed by the state; however, the provision of professional training, legal advice and representation for members is still an important benefit of trade union membership.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Collective bargaining: Where trade unions are able to operate openly and are recognized by employers, they may negotiate with employers over wages and working conditions.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Industrial action: Trade unions may enforce strikes or resistance to lockouts in furtherance of particular goals.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Political activity: Trade unions may promote legislation favorable to the interests of their members or workers as a whole. To this end they may pursue campaigns, undertake lobbying, or financially support individual candidates or parties (such as the Labour Party in </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Britain</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">) for public office.</span></p>LIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04300173779860937977noreply@blogger.com0