Politics And Trade Unions
Labour trade unions,trade union congress,labor union leaders
The beginning of the last century saw the formation of quite a number
of labor organizations
as the world was in its initial stages of industrialization. What would
start off as group meetings of a few workers ended up becoming big movements
that would bring together many workers with the same goals and aspirations.
Aspirations then became ideologies that helped galvanize workers into
forming labor movements.
With time some of the unions transformed themselves into political
movements. The reasons are quite evident now as to how these
unions easily changed to become political outfits. One outstanding attribute
is in the numbers. Unions then, as they are now, have followings that
run into hundred of thousands, if not more. Equally impressive is that
most of them have a national representation, basically touching on every
corner of the country.
A good case in point is in the formation of the famous Labor
Party in Britain. It goes without saying that it is one of
the oldest parties in the country and its supporters are found across
the entire nation. Well, it began as a political movement before becoming
an official political party. As is with all movements and organizations
there were a few principles and ideologies then that brought workers together.
The major issue at that time was labor. The idea was adapted as the party’s
name as people could easily identify with it.
Unions operate
on principles agreed by its members and leaders. Top members act as representatives
of the workers. They are often elected by the entire body to champion
the cause of its members. They also serve to protect the members’ interests.
These tasks obviously differ from union to union.
Other than participate in sessions of intense lobbying and negotiations,
officials are expected to represent members in special forums where members
stand to benefit from policies or decisions made. However, there are times
the unions’ top organ fails to meet their members’ demands.
Unions work very closely with political
bodies as well as governments where deals are cut on a regular
basis. Many politicians are known to have started their careers from union
platforms. The two bodies are very close and work by scratching each other’s
backs from time to time. ‘Favors’ are given to politicians to have a policy
passed here and there to benefit a union, while the ‘favor’ is returned
by the union’s unfledged support to the politicians party.
You say representation and championing of members rights, not so quick…
