What are the advantages and the disadvantages of Unions - Essay Example

Trade unions as explained earlier is when a group of workers of an organization get together and using their leadership skills, bargain with the employers on behalf of the union members. This bargaining ideally is for wages, working hours, working conditions or any issue that an employee faces at the workplace. These unions also discuss and negotiate the labor contracts. Labor contract refer to the contracts that an employer and one or more unions. Here the unions get together and together decide about the various work issues related to pay, working environment, work rules, hiring, firing, promotions etc (Ledwith, 2007).

Trade unions are normally comprised of the workers, ex workers, and professionals. They also include the unemployed in a few cases. They work with an aim of improving the conditions of their employment. The trade unions work to provide benefits to members of the union. It also looks into matters where employees can receive benefits against unemployment, old age, funeral expenses etc. Also as mentioned they work on the basis of collective bargaining. Trade unions are generally the ones that can enforce strikes within the organizations and can also be the only ones who can resist lockouts by the management.

These unions can also promote legislation favorable to the members of the union. They can also be a part of conducting campaigns, lobbying, or even provision of financial support for parties or even individual candidates. They play a very important role and are one of the strongest unions. These unions have the power to make or break companies (Miller and Mulvey, 2007). a) Firstly, trade unions ensure that employees are given the dignity, rights and respect at all times. This is a very important aspect and needs to be taken into consideration at all times.

The existence of unions allows the employees to be treated respectfully and any misbehavior from the management could cost the company a fortune.