Download
1 / 2
20 likes | 25 Views
When an economic crisis, government policy or unfair workplace practices have threatened workers rights, trade unions have been at the heart of advocating for change. It's a common misconception that unions just organise strikes. Many people accuse them of doing nothing meaningful for the everyday worker. The truth is many of the employment rights we have today wouldn't exist without them.
E N D
How Trade Unions Make Workplaces Fairer and More Equal When an economic crisis, government policy or unfair workplace practices have threatened workers rights, trade unions have been at the heart of advocating for change. It's a common misconception that unions just organise strikes. Many people accuse them of doing nothing meaningful for the everyday worker. The truth is many of the employment rights we have today wouldn't exist without them. Trade unions have helped us secure: • Paid annual leave • Paid parental leave • The minimum wage • Laws that force employers to abide by their contracts and much more. Put simply, trade unions are groups of working people who join together to defend their rights and campaign for better working conditions. Most trade unions consist of a network of local branches with representatives in every workplace. Trade union representatives: • Negotiate with employers on pay and conditions • Help members with legal and financial problems • Discuss members concerns with employers • Accompany members to disciplinary and grievance meetings During the economic downturn of 2020, trade union membership rose by 118,000. Data from the business, energy and industrial strategy department showed that this rise in membership stemmed solely from rising unionisation amongst public sector workers. Increased anxiety over workplace safety, unfair practices, and the risk of redundancies during the pandemic prompted a revival in membership across other industries. During the pandemic, union leaders won their fair share of triumphs, including influencing the UK Government's furlough scheme. They won concessions in guidance, which required employers to publish risk assessments and consult with worker's representatives before reopening. The Trade Unions Congress (TUC) is also running a campaign to scrap the minimum earnings threshold for Statutory Sick Pay, which has affected thousands since the start of Covid. Its other campaigns include
helping to secure a pay rise for key workers who worked tirelessly throughout local lockdowns. Covid exposed the fragility of employment rights and disparities between the treatment of workers in different sectors. Still, the truth is, these issues are not new. Although the UK supposedly has one of the best workers' rights records globally, issues like Brexit, Covid-19 and inefficient Government management have jeopardised workers' rights. Additionally, thousands of workers across the UK fail to be paid the minimum wage, find themselves the victim of unfair practices or dismissal, and more. Trade unions have been at the forefront of many of these issues, like campaigning with WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) to ensure workers receive justice and support in the face of hardship. Trade unions can also help promote equality and diversity in the workplace. Union reps have a pivotal role in promoting equal rights for workers. Some unions even have their own equality representatives. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) require affiliate unions to demonstrate a commitment to equality and ending harassment, discrimination, and prejudice in the workplace. READ MORE Community trade union 465c Caledonian Road London UK N7 9GX editor@community-tu.org 0800 389 6332 https://community-tu.org/
