WHAT IS A TRADE UNION

1. Read and translate the text.

A trade union (British English) or labor union (American English) is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members (rank and file members) and negotiates labour 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.

Originating in Europe, trade unions became popular in many countries during the Industrial Revolution, when the lack of skill necessary to perform most jobs shifted employment bargaining power almost completely to the employers’ side, causing many workers to be mistreated and underpaid. Trade union organizations may be composed of 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.

Over the last three hundred years, trade unions’ goals have developed into a number of forms such as more money, less hours, and better conditions, influenced by differing political objectives. Activities of trade unions vary, but may include:

· Provision of benefits to members. Early trade unions 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.

· 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.

· Industrial action. Trade unions may enforce strikes or resistance to lockouts in furtherance of particular goals.

· Political activity. Trade unions may promote legislation favourable 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 Britain) for public office.

2. Look up the words in bold in Glossary on p. 33 and learn them by heart.

3. There is a wrong word in each sentence. Find and correct it.

1) A trade union is an organization of workers who want to achieve worse working conditions.

2) The trade union’s leadership negotiates labour contracts with the employees on behalf of rank and file members.

3) Trade unions originated in America and soon became popular in many countries during the Industrial Revolution.

4) Early trade unions often provided a range of benefits to insure members against employment, ill health and old age.

5) An important benefit of trade union membership is the provision of professional training, illegal advice and representation for members.

6) Trade unions may promote negotiations favourable to the interests of their members or workers as a whole.

4. Answer the questions.

1) What is a trade union?

2) Why did trade unions become popular during the Industrial Revolution?

3) Who are the members of trade union organisations?

4) What does the trade union leadership negotiate with the employers?

5) Who are the negotiated agreements binding on?

6) What does a trade union provide to its members?

7) What forms of industrial actions can trade unions enforce?

8) What legislation may trade unions promote?

5. Using the questions above, speak about the trade union movement.

Unit 2

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