Joining a union has become more important than ever. With 26 billionaires owning as many assets as 50% of the poorest population combined, people from all over the world are finding it more difficult to make ends meet.
Trade unions aim to fight for workers to ensure they get their fair share of a company’s profits. Trade unions lead to healthier economies, less disparity between the rich and the poor, and a more stable society.
There are many different trade unions, and depending on what industry an employee works in, workers can join a grocery union, educational services union, public administration union, etc.
If you don’t already belong to a union, here are five reasons you should join one ASAP.
1. Better Benefits and Wages
It’s a proven fact that unionized employees earn higher wages than workers who aren’t part of a union. A trade union uses its collective power to negotiate for better benefits – such as pensions, health insurance, sick pay, overtime, holidays, and more. They also bargain for better salaries.
Trade unions negotiate with employers for better conditions, pay, and benefits and fight for workers’ rights.
2. Personal Protection
If you’re a unionized worker, the union has your back. If you’re not aware of your rights as an employee, a union can explain them to you. If an employer mistreats a worker, the employee’s union will provide support and representation. Employees can rely on trade union reps to support them if they are unhappy with working conditions or if their rights are being violated.
One example of how unions are fighting for workers is their reaction to increasing automation in the workplace. Trade unions are demanding social protection, training, and lifelong learning for workers so they can adapt to the current work environment.
3. Equality in the Workplace
Trade unions advocate and fight for equal pay and equal rights for all workers. A trade union will use its collective voice to fight against race, sexual orientation, disability, and gender discrimination in the workplace. A trade union takes a stance that promotes flexible working, maternity, and paternity pay for parents so they can share the responsibilities of child-rearing.
Unions typically encourage young people and women to take more leadership roles within trade unions and promote equality. In fact, some of the biggest trade unions today are championed by women.
4. Health and Safety
It’s a fact that unionized workplaces have safer conditions for their workers. Trade unions will not allow employees to work in an unsafe environment to save the organization money or meet the company’s targets. Unions give the moral authority to assess risk in the workplace back to the employees by giving workers a voice.
When workers are backed by unions, they can voice their concerns and refuse to work in dangerous conditions without fearing for their jobs. Trade unions prioritize safe working conditions, and they have made health and safety standards what they are today.
5. Solidarity
Trade unions have networks all over the world. With so many connections, unions can use their collective voices to get the attention of even the biggest corporations.
Global unions have the power to raise the concerns that are being ignored and bring them to the attention of the top management of multinational companies. Senior managers often are unaware of what is happening at the local ground or office level – global unions can help solve these problems.
