Why do we join Union?
Smt. Nandita Mohanty
Chairperson, Women Sub-Committee
AIPEU, Gr-C, Bhubaneswar Division
With the evolution of society and
growth in social needs there is a sharp development in industrialization. It
involves use of modern technology and employment of large number of workers. As
large number of people are involved, it becomes necessary to safe guard
the interest of the workers. They need to be organized to fulfil their demands
in respect of salary, welfare and social security. There comes the concept of
`Union’.
So, union is the long-term association of
workers to advance and protect the interest of members of the union in the
working relationship. According to Flippo “A labor union or a trade union is an
organization of workers formed to protect, promote and improve through
collective action, the social, economic and political interest of its members.”
Whenever any employee joins a union, he
has some expectations in his mind. He may join the union for the following
reasons:-
·
Economic benefits: When any employee joins an organization the main
interest is the salary or wage. As the social status of a person is defined by
the economic standard he carries, more emphasis is given to the economic
benefits. But any single individual has very little bargaining capacity as
compared to the huge power of the management. He thinks, if he joins the union,
union will fight for the economic interest of the employee as the union has
great bargaining capacity to get its demands accepted by the management.
But the union has also its own limitations. It can bargain on the genuine ground
according to the prevailing rules. It can demand for the economic up-gradation
when the organization is economically sound. For that the employees have to
give their hundred percent so that union can demand enhancement of monetary
benefits. Because no organization will give any economic benefit unless and
until it is economically sound. At that time expectation of economic
advancement is baseless.
·
Platform for self-expression: At the primitive days of industrialization, lives
of the workers were like slaves without any voice against the tyranny of the
management. They used to live at the mercy of the management. They couldn’t
raise their voice against un-hygienic working conditions, hard work, low wage,
long and inconvenient hours of working etc. Self-expression and individuality were
totally prohibited. But the desire for self-expression is a fundamental drive
which can’t be ignored. By joining the union the employees get a platform for
self-expression. The union provides the mechanism through which employees can
make their voice heard by the top management. Union serves as the communicating
device between the employees and the management. Sometimes due to low
perspective and narrow-mindedness, some can’t understand the long-term views
taken by the organization in the context of overall growth of the organization
and employees. Anything which does not result in immediate reward becomes
unattractive to them. This attitude results in the difference in views and
conflict in union. One thing we should keep in mind that union is by the employees,
for the employees and of the employees. So to be in union, one should go beyond
oneself.
·
Check-bar on arbitrary action of the management: The employees join the union
to fight against the arbitrary action of the management. It works like a brake
to the monopoly of the management. Employees expect a just and fare dealing
from the management on the basis of the prevailing rules and regulations. Union
serves a checkmate when management goes beyond the prevailing rules and take
action against the employees which is irrational, unlawful or
discriminatory. Thus union safe- guards the interest of the employees.
·
Security : The employees join
union because they think that at the time of need the union will stand by them.
They can get the protection from hazards and economic insecurities at the time
of illness, accidents, unemployment etc. For example, trade union ensures
compensation to the injured workers under the Workman’s Compensation Act 1923,
secures the retirement benefits under Gratuity Act 1972 and PF Act 1952, employees’
health, social security, payment of wage, bonus, insurance, maternity benefit
etc. and other welfare measures by compelling the management to abide by these.
With the union, employees feel safe and secure both mentally and physically.
·
Employee-employer relationship: The
employee may not have easy access to the top management. But union is the
proper machinery which maintains a sound communication between the employer and
the employee. Employees feel attached to the organization by this. If the
relation between the employer and employees is good then industrial disputes,
conflicts, strikes and lock-outs can be avoided.
·
Sense of participation: Sense of participation is
also a fundamental desire among the employees. They expect that their voice
should be heard in making decisions in the organization. This is known as the
Workman’s Participation. Being in the union, they can make their voice heard by
the management in matters affecting them and can also influence to take a
correct decision.
·
Sense of belongingness: When any employee joins an
organization the sense of belongingness is developed inside him. He tries to
feel that he is the integral part of the organization. For that he may join the
union. Because his co-workers are with the union. He may have the feeling that
if he will not join the union he will be odd man out and can’t get any
assistance at the time of need. On the contrary, when he is in the union he
feels that he is attached with the organization and experiences a feel-good
factor. He begins to think that he has some importance in the organization and
among the co-workers.
·
Background factor: Some who are born and brought up in the industrial
area or in the organizational background where the society members and members
of the family are attached with the union, join the union as a nature of practice.
Here the past history works. As a result, they think it obvious and natural enough to
join the union.
Though it is the mere truth that union is for the safe-guard of the
employees, we can’t use it as the weapon against the management. If management
strives for the long term benefit of the organization which may sound unreal on
the today’s back ground, then union also
has to think in that angle for the mutual benefit. We should aspire for the
long term benefits because our next generation may get the fruit out of it. We
have to make the union strong for the bright future.
*****
