Trade Unions
Business: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 2.2.7
Trade Unions
A trade union is an organisation formed by workers that represents and protects their interests in the workplace. Trade unions can give workers greater power and influence.
UK government decreased union power in 1980s
- Government legislation and restriction since the late 1970s and early 1980s have meant that trade unions have less power than they used too.
Benefits of trade unions
- The introduction of trade unions has resulted in a number of key benefits:
- Reduced discrimination in the workplace.
- Higher pay.
- Superior working conditions.
Disadvantages of trade unions
- By demanding wages that may be above the market equilibrium wage, trade unions could increase unemployment.
- They may also hold back technological advances that could benefit society.
- E.g many tube trains in London could be run autonomously but are not, partly because of trade union strength.