With
the evolution of society and growth in social needs there is a sharp
development in industrialization. It involves use of modern technology and
employment of large number of workers. As large number of people are involved,
it becomes necessary to safe guard the interest of the workers. They need
to be organized to fulfill their demands in respect of salary, welfare and
social security. There comes the concept of `Union’.
So,
union is the long-term association of workers to advance and protect the
interest of members of the union in the working relationship. According to Filippo “A labor union or a trade union is an organization of workers formed to
protect, promote and improve through collective action, the social, economic
and political interest of its members.”
Whenever
any employee joins a union, he has some expectations in his mind. He may join
the union for the following reasons:-
·
Economic benefits: When any employee
joins an organization the main interest is the salary or wage. As the social
status of a person is defined by the economic standard he carries, more
emphasis is given to the economic benefits. But any single individual has very
little bargaining capacity as compared to the huge power of the management. He
thinks, if he joins the union, union will fight for the economic interest of
the employee as the union has great bargaining capacity to get its demands
accepted by the management. But the union has also its own limitations.
It can bargain on the genuine ground according to the prevailing rules. It can
demand for the economic up-gradation when the organization is economically
sound. For that the employees have to give their hundred percent so that union
can demand enhancement of monetary benefits. Because no organization will give
any economic benefit unless and until it is economically sound. At that time
expectation of economic advancement is baseless.
·
Platform for self-expression: At the primitive days of
industrialization, lives of the workers were like slaves without any voice
against the tyranny of the management. They used to live at the mercy of the
management. They couldn’t raise their voice against in-hygienic working conditions,
hard work, low wage, long and inconvenient hours of working etc.
Self-expression and individuality were totally prohibited. But the desire for
self-expression is a fundamental drive which can’t be ignored. By joining the
union the employees get a platform for self-expression. The union provides the
mechanism through which employees can make their voice heard by the top
management. Union serves as the communicating device between the employees and
the management. Sometimes due to low perspective and narrow-mindedness,
some can’t understand the long-term views taken by the organization in the
context of overall growth of the organization and employees. Anything which
does not result in immediate reward becomes unattractive to them. This attitude
results in the difference in views and conflict in union. One thing we should
keep in mind that union is by the employees, for the employees and of the
employees. So to be in union, one should go beyond oneself.
·
Check-bar on arbitrary action of the management: The employees join the
union to fight against the arbitrary action of the management. It works like a
brake to the monopoly of the management. Employees expect a just and fare
dealing from the management on the basis of the prevailing rules and regulations.
Union serves a checkmate when management goes beyond the prevailing rules
and take action against the employees which is irrational, unlawful or
discriminatory. Thus union safe- guards the interest of the employees.
·
Security : The employees join union because they think
that at the time of need the union will stand by them. They can get the
protection from hazards and economic insecurities at the time of illness,
accidents, unemployment etc. For example, trade union ensures compensation to
the injured workers under the Workman’s Compensation Act 1923, secures the
retirement benefits under Gratuity Act 1972 and PF Act 1952, employees’ health,
social security, payment of wage, bonus, insurance, maternity benefit etc. and
other welfare measures by compelling the management to abide by these. With the
union, employees feel safe and secure both mentally and physically.
·
Employee-employer relationship: The employee may not have easy
access to the top management. But union is the proper machinery which maintains
a sound communication between the employer and the employee. Employees feel
attached to the organization by this. If the relation between the employer and
employees is good then industrial disputes, conflicts, strikes and lock-outs
can be avoided.
·
Sense of participation: Sense of participation is also a fundamental desire
among the employees. They expect that their voice should be heard in making
decisions in the organization. This is known as the Workman’s Participation.
Being in the union, they can make their voice heard by the management in
matters affecting them and can also influence to take a correct decision.
·
Sense of belonging-ness: When any employee joins an organization the sense of
belonging-ness is developed inside him. He tries to feel that he is the integral
part of the organization. For that he may join the union. Because his
co-workers are with the union. He may have the feeling that if he will not join
the union he will be odd man out and can’t get any assistance at the time of
need. On the contrary, when he is in the union he feels that he is attached
with the organization and experiences a feel-good factor. He begins to think
that he has some importance in the organization and among the co-workers.
·
Background factor: Some who are born
and brought up in the industrial area or in the organizational background where
the society members and members of the family are attached with the union, join
the union as a nature of practice. Here the past history works. As a result, they
think it obvious and natural enough to join the union.
