Trade Unions A trade union is an organisation that represents workers and
protects their rights in the workplace through lobbying, negotiating and protesting.
KEYWORDS
ґ Trade unions negotiate with employers and lobby them (put pressure on them) on behalf of their members on issues such as pay, working conditions and job security.
ґ They can organise protests such as an official strike to put pressure on the employer to make decisions that benefit workers in their union.
ґ They also provide legal advice and support to members who have a dispute with their employer.
Benefits of Trade Unions
1. They can represent staff in a dispute: If an employee has a complaint or is treated unfairly, the trade union negotiates on their behalf so they do not have to face the employer alone.
2. They look to improve worker’s pay and conditions: Trade unions negotiate collectively for all their members so they have more bargaining power than they would have on their own.
3. They provide legal support to workers: Trade unions provide advice and support if an employee faces disciplinary action or unfair dismissal so members are better protected in the workplace.
Mandate Trade Union is a trade union in Ireland that represents employees in the retail, bar and administrative sectors. It helps them negotiate fairer pay and better working conditions, and gives workers a stronger voice when dealing with their employers.
Other Trade Unions include: Teachers
Nurses Various Sectors
TUI (Teachers’ Union of Ireland) and the ASTI (Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland)
INMO (Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation) SIPTU (Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union)
The Shop Steward
A shop steward is an employee selected by other workers in a workplace to represent them in dealing with the employer.
KEYWORDS of
The role is unpaid. The shop steward can raise concerns and negotiate on day-to-day issues with management on behalf their colleagues.