Topic Summaries

Trade unions are organisations that represent the interests of workers, giving them a collective voice when negotiating with employers. They play an important role in balancing the power between individual employees and large businesses, often at national levels (e.g.education, healthcare).

• Key roles of trade unions:
  • Collective bargaining: unions negotiate with employers on behalf of members over issues such as pay, working hours, health and safety, and holiday entitlement.
  • Dispute resolution: represent employees during workplace disputes, disciplinary hearings, or grievance procedures.
  • Legal and practical support: provide legal advice, support during tribunal cases, and representation in unfair dismissal or redundancy situations.
  • Lobbying and campaigns: push for changes in employment law or public policy that affect workers’ rights (e.g.minimum wage increases, anti-discrimination laws).
• Trade union membership: workers voluntarily join and pay a membership fee.Some businesses recognise unions officially, while others do not (non-recognition limits the union’s power).