An Overview of Trade Union
                     AN 
OVERVIEW 
OF TRADE 
UNION
WHAT IS A TRADE 
UNION?
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.
SOURCE: www.nidirect.gov.uk 2
INDEPENDENT OF ANY 
EMPLOYER
Most trade unions are independent of any 
employer. However, trade unions try to develop 
close working relationships with employers. 
This can sometimes take the form of a 
partnership agreement between the employer 
and the trade union which identifies their 
common interests and objectives.
SOURCE: www.nidirect.gov.uk 3
TRADE UNION RECOGNITION
Employers which recognise a union will 
negotiate with it over members' pay and 
conditions.
Many recognition agreements are reached 
voluntarily, sometimes with the help of the 
Labour Relations Agency.
SOURCE: www.nidirect.gov.uk 4
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
If a union is formally recognised by an 
employer, it can negotiate with the employer 
over terms and conditions. This is known as 
'collective bargaining'.
SOURCE: www.nidirect.gov.uk 5
JOINING A TRADE UNION
Some workers join a trade union because they 
believe that a union can:
• negotiate better pay
• negotiate better working conditions, like 
more holidays or improved health and safety
• provide training for new skills
• give general advice and support
SOURCE: www.nidirect.gov.uk 6
TRADE UNION-RELATED 
RIGHTS
The law gives you the right to join a trade 
union wherever you work. This right applies 
whether a union has been recognised or not. 
You're protected from being disadvantaged for 
being a union member. Specifically trade union 
membership is an unlawful reason for:
• refusing you employment
• dismissing you
• selecting you for redundancy
SOURCE: www.nidirect.gov.uk 7
BLACKLISTING
You can’t be discriminated against because you 
are in a union or because of your union activity.
With rare exceptions, it’s also illegal to 
compile, use, sell or supply a ‘blacklist’ of 
union members that will be used to 
discriminate against you.
SOURCE: www.nidirect.gov.uk 8
TRADE UNION ACTIVITIES
When a union is recognised by an employer, 
members have the right to time off at an 
appropriate time to take part in trade union 
activities. These may include:
• voting in ballots on industrial action
• voting in union elections
• meeting to discuss urgent matters
• attending the annual conference
SOURCE: www.nidirect.gov.uk 9
FEATURES OF TRADE UNIONS
 Trade unions are voluntary associations 
formed by employees to safeguard their 
interests through collective actions.
Such associations at the level of individual 
organizations as well as the apex bodies with 
which these may be affiliated fall in the 
category of trade unions.
SOURCE: www.nidirect.gov.uk 10
ECONOMIC OBJECTIVES OF 
TRADE UNIONS
• To secure for workers fair wages
• To secure better and more fringe benefits
• To safeguard security of job of employees
• To secure better working conditions
• To improve productivity
• To secure opportunities for growth and 
development of employees
• To seek opportunities for promotion, training 
and so on
SOURCE: www.nidirect.gov.uk 11