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Unions
Trade Unions are organisations which were formed to protect people at work. They have a long history of protecting workers' interests by negotiating and speaking to employers on behalf of their members.
By coming together in a union, workers are able to share their concerns about work and make a united representation to management.
- Usually if a workplace has a union, employees in the union elect a number of their colleagues to represent them
- These people are sometimes known as shop stewards and they are there to advise you and to sort out difficulties which you may have at work
- Some workplaces have more than one union, particularly those which employ workers with varied responsibilities and skills
- Employers vary in their attitude to unions - from outright hostility (which is rare but still exists) to co-operation and regular consultation on policy issues
- When you start work you may be invited to join the union. Workers do not have to join unions if they do not wish to do so, and they should not suffer any form of discrimination if they choose not to. Equally, they cannot be forced to take part in 'industrial action' (going on strike)
- For industrial action to be legally valid, a majority of union members must agree through a secret ballot
- You have a legal right not to be dismissed or selected for redundancy purely because you are a member of a trade union of your choice
- Employers do not have to negotiate with unions but it is unlawful for them to sack people just for belonging to one
- To join a union, you pay a small subscription fee every month and this is quite often taken directly from your wages via your employer
- Most unions accept members from 16 years old and some, such as USDAW (the Union of Shopworkers, Distributive and Allied Workers) have youth committees which ensure that young people's opinions are represented in the decision-making committees of the union
- Most unions also have special subscription rates for young people, particularly if you are on a training or work placement
