The Definition Of A Trade Or Worker's Union & It's Purpose:

July 25-2005:

Definition of A Trade Or Workers Union:

A body or collective of workers who earn wages or salaries: Do not own property that is used to accrue profit therefrom: And has specific employment interests, such as the following:

* Wants secure or permanent employment:* Medical Benefits:* Vacation leave with pay:
* Medical/Sick leave with pay:
* Pension/Retirement Plan:
* Maternity and Paternity leave:
* A contract Of Service That Guarantees Equal Pay for Equal Work/Tasks:
* Non discrimination policy for Gay-Lesbian-Ethnic-Religious, or Political reasons:

These are just some of the CORE dictates of an organized Trade Union.

Forming a Trade or Workers union has statutory approval according to The National Labor Act:

Before any union can be recognized by an employer or potential employer, it first must have the following:* A written petition from the majority of the workers in a particular undertaking, which will attest to this desire when shown to the employer by the worker's representative union.

* When this petition is brought to the employer by the Union representatives, they will ask the employer to accept the petition as bona-fide and voluntary.

* If the employer is progressive, and is inclined to engage in collective bargaining with this Union about the contract for employment, and all the other benefits so demanded. And if they both agree to this contract, it must be brought back to the collective for ratification.

* If the collective or members agree, then it will be accepted by both parties as a bona fide contract. This may include, amount of wages per category, per week, number of hours to work per week, and who will be the House Worker's representatives for the Union. In normal circumstances, the election of Union representatives on the job is done among workers themselves. This process follows the Democratic process of elections, balloting, and the one man/woman one vote process.

Rationale for Trade Unions:

* Individual bargaining with an employer for increase benefits, eg wages, medical, vacation etc, have been proven to be futile historically. More often than not, un-successfully by the employee.

* Having a collective bargaining process involved in this process, shows strength, unity of purpose, and collective will.* Workers have the right to Strike or Go Slow, as a means to make their employer pay attention to their needs.

Finally: According to Karl Marx: All the workers have to lose are their chains!
This remark was made in his dossier on Capitalism, and the concept that The Capitalist wants to maximize their incomes or profits at the workers demise or expense.

Special Note:All the worker has to offer is his/her personal skills, education, and availability to sell his labor. But does not own anything to accrue profit or income. Because of this reliance on wages or salaries, most employers or capitalists will use the employment reservoir to chose who they will exploit, for more or less wages!

Workers International-Unite:
Derryck S. Griffith.
Political Educator & Advocate.