Trade unions, as well as industrial actions, can be dated back to the industrial revolution in the eighteenth century. Notably, labor unions are organizations that have been set up by workers in particular professions to enable them to achieve common goals. Several issues are usually addressed by the groups, including protection of the rights of the workers, improving working conditions for the workers, increasing the remuneration and benefits of the employees, and enhancing welfare among many other issues (Heckscher & Carré, 2006). In other words, trade unions exist for the sake of the workers. Members use the unions to discuss issues with their employers. They negotiate their contracts of work and other matters that may be raised by either party. Fundamentally, labor unions and industrial actions go hand-in-hand. The unions use industrial action to demand what they want from their employers. The industrial action involves go-slows or failure to report to work for an unspecified period. The law protects such actions in different countries. As a matter of fact, in some nations, workers may demand police protection as they demonstrate peacefully.
Factors Leading To the Growth of Labor Unions
In essence, labor unions became popular during the industrial revolution in Europe. They were first established in the United Kingdom before spreading to other parts of Europe and eventually all over the world. It is worth mentioning that unions in Europe are the strongest when compared to other regions of the world. Apart from that, most European workers are members of a trade union.
In essence, one of the major reasons that led to the rise and growth of the labor unions was the necessity to improve the working conditions amid the expanding industries in this period. At this time, as the industries were increasing, the demand for workers was growing. As a result, women, children and even people from rural areas found work in urban centers. Most of them were either unskilled or half-skilled. Therefore, they received extremely low wages (Kalleberg, 2009). The employees saw the need to come together and speak with one voice. Movements, therefore, were formed. Notably, the courts of law did not outlaw the movements. As a matter of fact, a Massachusetts court stated that it was not illegal to hold a strike or try to push for better working conditions. Fundamentally, following this ruling, trade unions were able to push harder for better working conditions. As a result of this, more people joined the unions, which facilitated their growth.
The lack of equality between the workers and the heads of factories led to the creation and growth of labor unions as well. The factories and companies were making massive profits, but the workers were receiving little pay. Due to this inequality, they started demanding better remuneration. The trade unions became more organized as they moved on, and more people were able to join in the demands. Some of the oldest organized labor unions in the world include Knights of Labor and American Federation of Labor in America, Free Association of German Trade Unions in Germany, and General Confederation of Labor in France. Most people saw that the rise of trade unions would be beneficial not only to the employees but also to the employers. In other words, employers also got a chance to air their grievance or give counter offers to what the employees demanded. In this regard, the trade unions facilitated the creation of contracts between the employers and workers.
Trade Unions in the Modern World
Trade unions have had numerous transformations over the years (Sloane & Witney, 2007). Similarities, as well as differences exist between the practices of trade unions during the industrial revolution and the current practices. The agitations that the workers in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries raised are still the same ones being put forward, especially in the developing countries. Employees are still pushing for better salaries, wages, and improved working conditions. Workers are still exercising industrial actions to demonstrate their frustrations. As a matter of fact, the trade unions are currently stronger than they were in the industrial revolution period.
However, there are various notable differences between the way trade unions are currently and the way they were when they started. In fact, during the industrial revolution, all the workers who belonged to unions were manual laborers. However, in the current world, the trade unions have workers across all professions (Sloane & Witney, 2007). All the professions are represented by one or more trade unions. Apart from that, there are umbrella bodies that represent groups of trade unions. Also, these are central unions that represent the interests of several unions within a geographic location, as a country. Due to the effect of globalizations, trade unions from different countries are now coming together to form their central organizations. Further, the United Nations recognizes the trade unions and their roles through the International Labor Organization. The trade unions are funded by the organization in some instances. Such a move makes the unions unyielding and influential in national and regional issues.
References
Heckscher, C., & Carré, F. (2006). Strength in networks: Employment rights organizations and the problem of co‐ordination. British Journal of Industrial Relations, 44(4), 605-628.
Kalleberg, A. L. (2009). Precarious work, insecure workers: Employment relations in transition. American Sociological Review, 74(1), 1-22.
Sloane, A. A., & Witney, F. (2007). Labor relations. Prentice Hall.
