A Discussion on Trade Unions and whether Management Should...

A union is an organised group of workers whose aim is to protect their members and improve their employment conditions. The Australian Bureau of Statistics found that in August 2012, 20% of full time employees and 14% of part time employees were members of unions. Although this data shows a decrease in union membership over the last decade or so, the unions are still a very important part of the workplace. In Australia, it is illegal for an employer to fire a worker for being a member of a union, and they are unable to prevent workers from joining a union (Trade Unions 2012). In the same respect, management cannot force employees to join unions or treat their staff unfairly for belonging to a union (Fair Work Ombudsman 2013). This essay†¦show more content†¦al 2001). Employers initially resisted unions as they were seen as a ‘tool of worker power’, and some countries even banned the groups all together (Baoill 2011). Although these restraints have been lifted, restrictions and guidelines have been put in place by government bodies to govern union activity; and employees internationally have the right to form unions (Baoill 2011). Being part of a union gives members the benefit of negotiating with their employer collectively, as part of a group; giving them more power than if they were to negotiate as individuals (Silverman, n.d.). Overall, unions demand fairness which can lead to the unions influencing and changing ‘managerial decision-making at the workplace level’ for decisions in which employees are affected (Verma 2005). Unions are also beneficial to have present in the workplace because their bargaining of better condition will often benefit non-members as the conditions negotiated with management are implemented across the organization with no regard to membership status. Management is also able to avoid union disagreement by benchmarking conditions to that of an already unionized workplace. If management were to control union operation within the workplace, unions could be eradicated all together as they pose a threat to management being able to make all decisions affecting the workers using their managerial prerogative. The absence ofShow MoreRelatedUnion Unions And The Workplace1831 Words   |  8 Pagesâ€Å"Management should have the right to determine whether a union should operate within their workplace† The recent royal commision on union corruption and other negative media coverage has brought the role that trade unions play in the workplace into questions. A trade union refers to an organisation consisting mostly of employees or workers, the principal activities of which include the negotiation of rates of pay and conditions of employment for its members (awu.net.au,nd). 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