Trade unions in the workplace can only have a negative impact on productivity. Discuss - Essay Example

An analysis of the above definitions reveals that a trade union must be: Allen Flanders (1970) says that the major functions of trade unions are ‘Regulation’ which is of government role, whose essence lies in rule making. As Flanders (1970) says “Union restrain the exercise of managerial authority in deploying, organizing and disciplining the labour force after it has been hired.” Thus trade unions are considered not merely as economic organizations, but also as political institutions directed towards wresting control over managerial authority and moral institutions, which will uplift the weak, and downtrodden and render them the place, the dignity and justice they deserve.

Trade unions, everywhere, as organizations undertake a variety of activities termed as economical, political, social psychological, cultural etc. All these activities could be broadly put into three major categories such as collective bargaining or negotiations, industrial action and legal actions. Collective bargaining/ negotiations: Unions as representative of workers organizations bargain with employers or various such issues such as wages, allowances, bonus, hours of work, reinstatement etc.

The unions have secure bargaining power by statute and bargaining is done with the presence of the third party. Industrial action: Industrial action implies action like strikes and different methods of protest. These types of industrial actions like striking naturally lead to loss of production and disturbing the industrial peace. Worldwide unions resort to these activities to achieve their goals to safe guard the interest of their members. Legal actions: The unions also involve themselves in the legal actions.

First of all unions have interest in getting certain laws enacted by the legislature. The purpose of these labour laws is to enhance the interest of the workers. Then, the unions are also