Trade unions are voluntary organizations formed by workers to promote and protect their interests through collective action. The primary functions of trade unions are to protect workers from discrimination and unfair labor practices by employers. Trade unions give workers a greater voice and bargaining power compared to negotiating as individuals. However, the trade union movement in India faces some challenges like predominance of small unions with poor finances and lack of full-time leadership. Strengthening the movement requires unity among unions, reducing political interference, and making unions more effective and representative of workers.

1. Dr Sapna Awasthi
PROFESSOR
TRAD
E
UNION

2.  Trade Union" means any combination,
whether temporary or permanent, formed
primarily for the purpose of regulating the
relations between workmen and employers
or between workmen and workmen, or
between employers and employers, or for
imposing restrictive conditions on the
conduct of any trade or business.
 Trade unions are formed to protect and
promote the interests of their members.
Their primary function is to protect the
interests of workers against
discrimination and unfair labor practices.

3. MEANING OF TRADE UNION
⚫Trade unions are voluntary organisations formed to promote
and protect the interest of the workers through collective
action.

4. TRADE UNIONS
Formed to protect and promote the interests of their
members
Primary function is to protect the interests of workers against
discrimination and unfair labor practices
Objectives:
 Representation (W
orkers’Interests)
 Negotiation (Collective Bargaining)
Voicein decisions (Layoff, Retrenchment) affecting workers
Member Service(Education,Training, Welfare, Discounts,
Loans)
Functions:
i) Militant functions,
(ii) Fraternal functions

5. WHYDO PEOPLE JOIN UNION?
 Greater Bargaining Power
 Minimize Discrimination
 Sense of Security
 Sense of Participation
 Sense of Belongingness
 Platform for self expression
 Betterment of relationships

6. PURPOSE OF TRADE
UNIONS
 Employment Protection and Job Creation.
 Economic Protection.
 Social Status - Identity.
 Political Role - Democratic Institution
 Societal Obligation - Transformation.
 Competitiveness / Sustainable Development.

7. IMPORTANCE OF TRADE
UNIONS
 For industrial peace
 Decisions taken through the process of collective
bargaining and negotiations between employer and
unions are more influential
 Effective communication between the workers and the
management
 Economic development
 Recruitment & selection
 Discipline among workforce
 Settlement of ID in rational manner

8. PROBLEMS OF TRADE UNION
MOVEMENT
(a) Predominance of small sized unions.
(b) Poor finance of the unions on account of small
size and small subscription.
(c) Absence of whole time paid officers.
(d) Lack of loyalty of workers.
(e) Nature of the working class.
(f) Political affiliations
(g) Outside leadership
(h) Inefficiency

9. MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN
THE MOVEMENT
(a) Need for unity.
(b) Eliminating unhealthy political interference.
(c) One union ,one industry
(d) Working class leadership
(e) Responsible trade union leadership
(f) Responsibilities of workers
(g) Greater usefulness of unions

10. 6 MAJOR CENTRAL TRADE UNION
OF INDIA
(1) The Indian Nationa TradeUnionCongress(INTUC)
(2) The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)
(3)TheAll India Trade Union Congress(AITUC):
(4) The Hind Mazdoor Sangh (H.M.S.):
(5) The United Trade Union Congress (UTUC):
(6) The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU):

11. CONCLUSION
⚫ Trade union movement has a bright future, provided some
of the suggestions mentioned above are followed.
⚫ It is highly satisfying that the government is attaching
grear importance to the development of trade unionism on
healthy lines.