Trade Union Issues

'A trade union or labour union is an organisation of workers who have banded together to achieve common goals in key areas such as wages, hours, and working conditions.

The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members (rank and file members) and negotiates contracts with employers. This may include the negotiation of wages, work rules, complaint procedures, rules governing hiring, firing and promotion of workers, benefits, workplace safety and policies.

The agreements negotiated by the union leaders are binding on the rank and file members and the employer and in some cases on other non-member workers.