UNIT 7

LABOUR RELATIONS

Learning goals

After studying this unit you will be able to:

• define topical terms

• differentiate between labour, craft and industrial unions

• identify the role of labour unions in society

• assess the advantages of union membership

• describe the collective bargaining process

• explain the difference between labour and management tactics

Reading section

READING I

Labour unions

Key terms

Match the terms with their definitions.

1) labour (trade) union	a) an organization of workers with specific skills like carpenters or pilots
2) craft union	b) an organization of workers with a particular political position in different industries
3) industrial union	c) an organization of employees which is formed to achieve common goals in the areas of wages, working hours and working conditions
4) political union	d) an organization of all workers at all levels within one given industry

Vocabulary task

Match the words with their English equivalents.

1) labour (trade) union	a) следование инструкциям, доведенное до абсурда
2) industrial union	b) судебный запрет
3) craft union	c) запрет рабочим находиться на рабочих местах
4) industrial action	d) профсоюз
5) strike	e) цеховой профсоюз
6) go-slow (slow-down)	f) забастовка
7) working-to-rule	g) производственный профсоюз
8) lockout	h) действия протеста со стороны рабочих
9) injunction	i) намеренное сокращение уровня производства

Think ahead

In your opinion, who joins trade unions and for what purpose?

Text 7.1. Read the text and describe different types of unions.

Basic Facts about Labour Unions

The story of organized labour is an important and fascinating chapter in the history. It is a story that has its beginnings in the early nineteenth century when the workday started at sunrise and ended at sunset – for men, women and children. Most would agree that during industrial revolutions business owners and managers left the workers with little choice but to form unions. At that time, new technology was raising the standard of leaving for many people, but the majority of workers worked about eleven hours a day and six days a week. Looking back, it seems only natural that workers began to look for a means to protect themselves from exploitation and physical harm. Labour unions were the means that they devised.

Labour unions or trade unions are organizations that attempt to represent workers’ interests. They negotiate with employers about wages, working hours and working conditions of their members. They can defend members who have individual difficulties. Basically, labour unions exist to influence employers to further the benefits of employees. If dissatisfied, they can take ‘industrial action’ such as going on strike or operating a go-slow or a work-to-rule.

There are two basic types of labour unions – craft and industrial. A craft union is an organization of workers with specific skills, like electricians or pilots. An industrial union is an organization of all workers at all levels within one given industry. In some countries, for example, France and Italy, unions are largely political: workers in different industries join unions with a particular political position.

Why do workers join unions? Although the percentage of workers who have joined unions may be declining somewhat, the total number of union workers is substantial. There are several reasons for this substantial membership.

• Unions are seen as helping workers get higher wages and fringe benefits. They are generally seen as a means by which workers can get a greater share of profits.

• Unions are seen as helping workers improve working conditions. Job safety is an important concern in this area. Through unions workers can often influence management to invest in appropriate safety equipment. Desirable lighting and temperatures could also be included in this area.

• Unions are seen as protecting workers from unfair management. Certainly, many employees would like to be shielded from what they consider to be unfair decisions, rules, and rule enforcement. Through unions workers have some such protection.

• Unions are seen as possessing political power. Employees may respond favourably to being members of an organization that can lobby for laws to control such things as minimum wage levels or worker safety. Some degree of political influence can be achieved through unions.