Views from the bar: The purpose of trade unions

KANISA GEORGE

One key feature of TT’s development after the first world war was its move towards industrialisation. The colonial government era saw the introduction of economic activities combining production factors, namely facilities, supplies, work, and knowledge to produce material goods intended for the market. The Industrial Revolution in TT transformed our society from one that depended solely on the rewards of agriculture production (sugar cane and cocoa economy) to industrial production. During this time, the rights of the workforce became a heated issue. Workers fought against anti-colonist sentiments and vigorously pursued a better life by demanding more from employers. Struggling to keep up with a developing society's demands, workers became disenfranchised as employees didn't provide a safe work environment, health benefits, or fair pay.

In addition to racial undercurrents, workers weren't recognised for their efforts to bring TT in line with first world countries that were hundreds of steps ahead in the Industrial Revolution.

But TT wasn't the only society facing this issue. From as early as the 18th century, workers in Great Britain saw the need to mobilise a collective body that would advocate their rights in a way that met their needs. Met with great opposition, the labour movement changed the way society viewed the workforce. The labour movement is defined as an organised movement established to regulate the relations between workers and masters, workers and workmen, masters and masters, or for imposing restrictive conditions on the conduct of any industry or business.

One writer suggests that the labour movement's presence was greatly pacified and remained sporadic and short-lived through most of the 19th century. This was partly due to the hostility it encountered from employers and government groups that resented this new form of political and economic activism. In the early days of the labour movement, any act that organised labourers was considered a crime, and legislative powers found ways to prosecute unionist.

The end of the first world war, pervasive views from Russia on socialism, and indentured labour's demise acted as the catalyst for TT’s labour movement. There were several strikes and social disturbances by the oil and asphalt industries and dock and rail workers, whose main grievances concerned workers' right to representation, increased inflation and low wages.

This led to the enactment of the Trade Union Act to address the issues raised by the labour movement.

Even with this enactment, during early 1930 to mid-1940, the labour force was still subject to inhumane working hours, health and safety breaches with little or no compensation and wages that didn't meet the demands of the cost of living. This resulted in a movement underscored by strikes and vociferous advocacy by Tubal Uriah Butler and others who sought to standardise workers' rights.

Generally, the very purpose of a trade union is to consider an industry's general economic conditions and align these with workers' rights and wellbeing. One of its main objectives, is to protect and advance its members' interests in the workplace. This is done by negotiating agreements with employers on pay and other working conditions, highlighting employee concerns, setting standards for workers' proper health and safety, and accompanying members in disciplinary and grievance meetings.

Of note is when an employer formally recognises a trade union and can negotiate with the employer over terms and conditions in a collective manner. This is known as collective bargaining. Through collective bargaining, both parties set the groundwork to agree on negotiating wages, work rules, occupational health and safety standards, complaint procedures, and rules governing employees' status, including promotions and employment benefits.

Notably, an inherent trait of trade unions is the power of negotiation. They ensure that a proper negotiating environment is maintained and provides a better-negotiating climate. In some cases, workers have to negotiate their pay and benefits without a union on their own. By having a union representative, employees are provided with a better opportunity to achieve an outcome that befits them and ensures their wellbeing is looked after. There is a potential fallout on account of trade unions, for though they seek to unify workers to tackle negotiations, this can sometimes engineer hostility between employees and management.

Although the days of violent rioting are far behind us, there is still a bit of work to be done. However, it must be said that without the arduous struggle of those before us, and the instrumental role the labour movement played in changing our society's landscape, the right for workers to enjoy a safe and healthy work environment, adequate remuneration and health benefits would not be possible.