Unions Have A Significant Role In The Workplace And Beyond

Employers must listen to workers who act together and communicate with one another. This is how unions improve work conditions. Unions are groups or workers who start a union with the goal of working together to get a better deal at their workplace. In many workplaces, union members meet to discuss their problems and share information. Pay, pensions and safety at work are the most common topics. A rep, sometimes called a shop steward, is the representative elected by union members. They are often volunteers and can help individuals as well as relay their concerns to management.

The employer may legally recognize the union in many workplaces. These workplaces allow union representatives the right to unionize and negotiate formal terms with their managers regarding pay and other conditions. A union is recognized when it has enough members and the employer agrees to recognize the union. In larger workplaces, there may be several recognized unions representing different worker groups. Representatives from larger workplaces might have taken time off (sometimes called facility) to represent union members during negotiations with managers.

Unions stand up to workers in trouble Join a union

Employers who are sensible will welcome a union within their company. Employers understand it is better for workers if they can raise issues and solve them than to have to accept unfair treatment or unjust treatment. Unions can also help companies plan for the future, manage change, and ensure that workers have an independent voice in case of major changes such as redundancies or site closings.

Beyond the workplace

The branches of unions are often organized into local areas or jobs that are similar, and have elected volunteer officers. These branches are often part of a country or region, or a professional or industry sector. Every union has a national committee, often called an executive, and a general secretary. They are the leaders of the union together. Each union member elects the general secretary and executive. Representatives from branches will attend each union's regular conferences. This conference determines the priorities of the union.

There are also structures that support women, LGBT workers and workers from Black and other minority ethnic groups, as well as disabled workers and younger workers. Many unions employ paid staff to help members negotiate with employers, manage the union, and organize in new workplaces. They might also have lawyers, campaigners, and press officers. Unions are funded by sub-members.

Why not get your mates together at work and find the right union for you?

Over 5.5 million people belong to unions - from checkout attendants to nurses to lorry drivers and pilots to lorry drivers. Unions allow workers to come together, prevent unfair treatment and receive better deals from their employers.

Isn't this the time to join a union?

Important points to remember:

You are legally allowed to join a union. Employers cannot discriminate you as a member of a union.

Some unions have strict rules about who can join. This is often because they represent people who work in specific jobs. Unions are not able to help people with problems that occurred before they joined the union.