What trade unions do?
Matthew Harrington
Updated on January 14, 2026
A trade union is an organisation made up of members (a membership-based organisation) and its membership must be made up mainly of workers. One of a trade union’s main aims is to protect and advance the interests of its members in the workplace. Trade unions: negotiate agreements with employers on pay and conditions.
What is a trade union examples?
Examples of Trade Union or Labour NGOs Civil Society Challenge Fund Projects
- Banana Link.
- Commonwealth Trade Union Council.
- War on Want.
- Unison/Solidar joint bid.
- IFWEA.
What are the main objectives of a trade union?
Objectives of Trade Union Better wages & working conditions and promotion of Industrial peace. Protection against Exploitation and Victimization. Representation (Workers’ Interests) Negotiation (Collective Bargaining)
What is the biggest trade union?
the All-China Federation of Trade Unions
The All-China Federation (China) Size matters in industrial disputes, and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions is the world’s largest by far, counting 190 million members today. Like many other trade unions, the ACFTU was considered a revolutionary organization upon its formation in 1925.
What are the typical activities of a trade union?
The typical activities of a trade union include providing assistance and services to their members, collectively bargaining for better pay and conditions for all workers, working to improve the quality of public services, political campaigning and industrial action. Nearly seven million people in the UK belong to a trade union.
Who are the members of a trade union?
The membership of such unions is drawn from among workers employed in a particular craft or trade or allied crafts or trades or occupations irrespective of the organisation or the industry they belong to. Such employees are craft conscious and usually professionals or non-manual employees.
What are the duties of a trade union rep?
Union reps: negotiate agreements with employers on pay and conditions; discuss major changes such as redundancy; discuss members’ concerns with employers; accompany members to disciplinary and grievance meetings; help members with legal and financial problems.
Why are trade unions so important in India?
Since more and more industries in India and other countries are gradually becoming unionised, unions have a major effect on some of the important sectors of the economy. A trade union is an association of workers formed for the purpose of protecting the rights of the workers and improving their economic conditions.
