21/11/2021
*THE IMPORTANCE OF TRADE UNIONS IN ZAMBIA*
_@2021 SESTUZ LUSAKA DISTRICT-Worker Education Corner_
*A. What is a Trade Union?*
Trade union is an organization or a group that workers join so that they can have their interests and goals well represented.
Today, we live in a world where workers have assumed great importance. The employers have started to realize the importance of workers.
The employees too have started to form Trade Unions to protect their interests. Employers around the world have recognized that the best way to resolve issues is by way of dialogue.
The employees have realized that to protect them from exploitation, unity is very important. This is one of the reasons why trade unions have become so important today.
*B. The origin of Trade Unions*
The origins of trade unions existence can be traced back to the 18th century, when the rapid expansion of industrial society attracted women, children and immigrants to the work force in large numbers.
Trade unions were also endorsed by the Catholic Church towards the end of the 19th Century. The existence of a strong and recognized trade union is a per-requisite to industrial peace.
*C. Importance of Trade Unions*
1. Decisions taken through the process of collective bargaining and negotiations between employer and unions are more influential.
2. Trade unions play an important role and are helpful in effective communication between the workers and the management.
3. Trade unions provide the advice and support to ensure that the differences of opinion do not turn into major conflicts.
4. Trade Unions play a central function of representing people at work by way of protecting their interests.
5. Trade Unions also play an important educational role, organizing courses for their members on a wide range of matters.
6. Trade Unions seek a healthy and safe working environment for its members.
7. Trade unions help in accelerated pace of economic development in many ways as follows
8. Trade Unions help in the recruitment and selection of workers.
9. Trade Unions inculcate discipline among the workforce.
10. Trade Unions enable settlement of industrial disputes in a rational manner
11. Trade Unions help in social adjustments. Workers have to adjust themselves to the new working conditions, the new rules and policies. Workers coming from different backgrounds may become disorganized, unsatisfied and frustrated. Unions help them in such adjustment.
12. Trade Unions help in promoting and maintaining national integration by reducing the number of industrial disputes by way of incorporating a sense of corporate social responsibility in workers.
*D. Why the need to join a trade union?*
*1. Unity is strength*
Unions allow workers to come together in a powerful, collective voice to communicate to management their dissatisfaction and frustration. Working people need the protection of a union now more than ever. Some employers have tried to cut through workers’ rights legislation arguing that the ‘new way of working’.
*2. Better terms and conditions*
Workers who join a trade union are more likely to have better terms and conditions than those who do not, because trade unions negotiate for their members through collective bargaining agreements and protect them from bad management practices. All aspects of working life should be the subject of discussion and agreement between employers and employees under the protection of a trade union. Trained representatives of the union lead these negotiations on behalf of employees.
*3. Paid holidays*
Trade Unions won the rights for workers to be paid even on holidays. Eg Teachers
*4. Higher wages*
You earn more in a unionised workplace than non-unionised workers.
*5. Carers and parents*
Unions are responsible for securing and improving maternity, paternal and carer leave for millions of workers.
*6. Security and stability*
Trade union members are more likely to stay in their jobs longer, on average five years more than non-unionised workers.
*7. Having someone in your corner*
By being a union member, you have someone on your side when you need them. You become part of something bigger and have the support of the union when you need it. Trade unions are part of an international movement – global solidarity is key in highlighting some of the worst atrocities faced by working people.
*8. Equal opportunities*
Unions fight for equal opportunities in the workplace. Trade unions have fought for laws that give rights to workers: the minimum wage, maximum working time, paid holidays, equal pay for work of equal value as well as anti-discrimination laws.
*9. Health and safety*
Unionised workplaces are safer workplaces. There are 50% fewer accidents in unionised workplaces. Local safety representatives, appointed by trade union shops, deal with issues ranging from stress and mental health issues to hazardous substances, and represent their colleagues’ health and safety interests to management.
*10. Legal support*
If you have a problem at work, unions can offer legal services and advice. In situations such as including at disciplinary and grievance hearings, your union representative can give you expert advice, support and representation from start to finish.
*Worker Education continues*
