Trade unions in India were formed to protect and promote the interests of workers. Their primary functions are representation in negotiations with employers over issues like wages, benefits, and working conditions. Trade unions are important for maintaining industrial peace through collective bargaining and effective communication between workers and management. They also play a role in economic development through recruitment, discipline in the workforce, and rational dispute resolution. However, trade union growth in India faces challenges from issues like workforce segmentation, employment instability efforts to cut labor costs, and the emergence of non-union firms.
2. Trade Unions
Formed to protect and promote the interests of their members
Primary function is to protect the interests of workers against
discrimination and unfair labor practices
Objectives:
Representation (Workers’ Interests)
Negotiation (Collective Bargaining)
Voice in decisions (Lay off, Retrenchment) affecting workers
Member Service (Education, Training, Welfare, Discounts,
Loans)
Functions:
i) Militant functions,
(ii) Fraternal functions
3. Importance of Trade Unions
For industrial peace
Decisions taken through the process of collective
bargaining and negotiations between employer and
unions are more influential
Effective communication between the workers and
the management
Economic development
Recruitment & selection
Discipline among workforce
Settlement of ID in rational manner
4. Purpose of Trade Unions
Employment Protection and Job Creation.
Economic Protection.
Social Status - Identity.
Political Role - Democratic Institution
Societal Obligation - Transformation.
Competitiveness / Sustainable Development.
5. Why do people join Union?
Greater Bargaining Power
Minimize Discrimination
Sense of Security
Sense of Participation
Sense of Belongingness
Platform for self expression
Betterment of relationships
6. Multiple Unions: Causes
Membership related Issues
Discontent
Leadership Related Issues
Avenues, intra union fights, leadership issues
Political Issues
Regional, Organizational Limitations
Legal
7. Multiple Union: Solution
Suggested: One Industry - One Union
You may have any number of registered unions
Recognition is the key
8. SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS OF
UNIONS
Wage & salary bargaining
Fight for continuous improvement in employee
benefits
Improving working conditions at work place
Improving welfare, healthcare & recreation facilities,
and leisure at workplace
Increasing rest periods, holidays, paid leave and
time-offs
9. SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS OF
UNIONS
Decreasing working hours, work load esp. manual,
and hazardous working conditions
Improving career and salary rise prospects & job
security
Protecting employees against arbitrary / unjust
actions of Management
10. Major Trade Union Organizations
AITUC (All India Trade Union Congress)
Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)
Hind Mazdoor Sabha
All India Council of Central Trade Unions
All India United Trade Union Centre
United Trade Union Centre
All India federations of banks, insurance, railways, defence,
telecom, airline and airports.
Centre of Indian Trade Unions -president M.K. Pandhe
11. Present Central Trade Union Organizations
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)
Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)
Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)
Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat (HMKP)
Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS)
Indian Federation of Free Trade Unions (IFFTU)
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU)
National Labor Organization (NLO)
Trade Unions Co-ordination Centre (TUCC)
United Trade Union Congress (UTUC)
United Trade Union Congress - Lenin Sarani (UTUC - LS)
12. Problems for Trade Union Growth
Off-Centering Labour
Segmentation of Workforce
Core / Periphery
Employment Instability
Investment Attraction
Individualisation of Labour Relations
Labour Cost Cutting
Leadership Credibility/ Inside vs. Outside leadership
Failure of Institutions
Emergence of Non-union firms/ E-union/ Cyber-union