Prospective Maltese Workers and Trade Union Values - Literature review Example

Download file to see previous pages In most cases, it has been observed that the trade union bodies are formed independently, without having any connections to the employers. However, for the benefit of their worker-members, the trade union bodies generally try to harbor agreeable working-level alliances with the management, which may sometimes lead to the forging of ‘partnership agreements between the management and the trade unions, which are generally based on certain common achievable goals. This kind of an alliance, which is based on social partnership values, has helped in the creation of a new dimension in the study of industrial relationships, which has made it possible for starting “social dialogue[s], and [forging] cooperative relationships between employers and unions” (McLaughlin, 2007, 9).

The members of the social partnerships, within industrial relations, define and identify their own requirements within the framework of their democratic structures and elected heads, which are based on the nature of the specific problems that they face in their country of operation. These requirements must necessarily portray the scheme, preferences, and orientations of the members, which form a part of the social partnership values. Within trade union values, partnership aspires to be a “relationship of equals, based on mutual respect, trust, and understanding, where diversity and differences are recognized and accepted” (ibid).

A look at the Trade Union Principles within the Madrid charter (final) shows us that trade unions accept partnerships as ‘two-way’ alliances which is also a learning experience for all the concerned parties. A partnership is founded on resolutions for the preservation of solidarity and inter-organizational cooperation and is based on values that are stable and mutual, while its functional principles relate to the safeguarding of the rights of employees, and the democratic organizations that represent these employees.

According to the trade union values, when these organizations have access to public or government resources, they become accountable to the general public. In such cases, it would be their duty to ensure that, there exists“coherence between national and international policies and commitments, including their communications and interactions with their own members and governments (when they receive financial support)” (Trade Union Principles on Development Effectiveness, 2010, 7).

Trade unions, as per their values and principles, are committed to working in various ‘development cooperation programs,’ where they must work towards helping the workers that are marginalized and less represented, amidst the various worker-member groups. In the context of their country of operation, and also as regards the national and local socio-economic situation within that country, these marginalized groups may be immigrant workers, people with disabilities, workers who are too young or too old, workers under an informal economy, HIV positive workers, or workers from the minority religious orders, and other ethnic classes. ...Download file to see next pages Read More