2. With the advent of industrial revolution, men have
been replaced with machines and increasing use of
machines has given birth to the greatest evils like low
wages, long hours of work, poor working conditions
etc…. All this has led to excessive exploitation of the
Behind the unorganised workers by the profit seeking employers.
origin
This has necessitated the formation of trade unions so
as to protect, maintain and improve the economic
social and vocational interests of the members and to
strengthen their bargaining power.
3. A trade union is an organization of
workers who have banded together to
achieve common goals such as protecting
Meaning the integrity of its trade, achieving higher
pay, increasing the number of employees
an employer hires, and better working
conditions.
4. “A trade union is a continuous long term association of employees,
formed and maintained for the specific purpose of advancing and
protecting the interests of members in their working relationship.”
- Dale Yoder
Definitions “A trade union is a continuous association of wage earners for the
purpose of maintaining and improving the conditions of their lives.”
-Sydney and Beatrice Webb
5. 2. Trade unions are generally permanent
Characteristics
combinations and not temporary or
casual.
3. Trade unions are formed by the
collective actions of their members to
strengthen their bargaining power.
4. The basic objective of any trade union is
to protect and promote economic, social
and vocational interest of their
members.
5. The origin and growth of trade unions
have been influenced by a number of
socio-economic and political ideologies.
6. Trade unions are adaptable to the
changing socio-economic-legal-political
environment.
6. Trade Unions provide job security to the employees/
workers
Trade Unions can negotiate with management on the
industrial conflicts.
The workers interest can be safeguarded by the
strength of unionism.
Needs
Trade unions ensure workers participation in
management.
The rights of workers viz. wages and conditions of
work can be protected by the trade unions.
Trade Unions also help in maintaining good industrial
relations.
7.
8. Developed by Sydney webb and Beatrice webb.
An extension of the principle of democracy.
Solution to industrial conflicts can be obtained
Industrial through equality and collective agreements.
democracy Trade Unions are considered as “institutions for
approach overcoming managerial dictatorship.”
In this approach, Trade unions are not considered as
an instrument for the revolutionary over throw of
capitalist order.
9. Developed by Prof.Robert F Hoxie, an American
labour economist.
This approach says that emerging of trade unions
are not merely because of economic reasons but
psychological environment of the workers.
Social They have common interpretation of their social
Psychological situation and have common solution to their
problems.
Approach So they unite into a union.
Thus, unionism is a result of group psychology which
grows out of environmental conditions and
temperamental attributes of its members.
10. Developed by Tannenbaun.
Workers are engaging in an unconscious rebellion
against authorization of industrial society.
Fundamental cause of exploitation of workers is use
Capitalism of machines.
Approach Trade unions are the by products of an industrial
society in which automation has destroyed the old
way of life and robbed the worker of his identity.
The union originally created by the workers to make
their bargaining more effective, has now become so
powerful
11. Developed by Karl Max and is also known as Marxist
approach.
This approach represents trade unions as instrument
Anti for destroying the capital class.
Capitalism Trade unionism is necessary to bring revolutionary
and fundamental changes in the social order of the
Approach workers.
Trade unions are considered as instrument to
overthrow capitalism.
12. Developed by Mahatma Gandhi.
Contrary to those of Karl Max
Based upon the sarvodaya principles of truth,
trusteeship and non violence.
Sarvodaya Trade unions are economic institutions in which
Approach capital and labour are supplementary.
Trade unions are essentially reformist organisations.
According to the theory, trade unions are not anti
capitalist, the idea is to take from capital, labours
due share and no more.
13. Developed by Kerr, Dunlop, Harbison and Myres.
According to this theory, workers often find their
Protest work distasteful and their compensation never
commensurate with their contribution.
Approach Trade unions are formed as a means of protest, an
expression of the workers resentment over the
prevailing industrial system.
14. Developed by G.D.H.Cole.
Control The ultimate objective of trade union is to have
control of workers over the industry.
Approach Although the immediate objective may be higher
wages and better working conditions.
15. Developed by S.H.Slitcher
Work Employees cannot exercise much control over
working conditions through individual bargaining.
Traditions
Trade unions should help developing a system of
Approach work rules and traditions – “ A system of industrial
jurisprudence”.