Write-ups on Trade Unions (Part 4)

This next topic is rather interesting as most employers' tend to have negative aspects towards the union and its members. Many a times employees' who are union members or officials are facing hard time with their superiors while at work. Superiors here doesn't necessarily mean the top management people or executives only, BUT worst is when the superiors are of supervisory levels, who are also non-executives or in another word, also a union member. That is why we tend to nickname such superiors as "executives of the non-executives".

Employers' Attitudes to Unions

How do employers perceive trade unions? Do they accept the idea of their workers joining unions? Employers' responses can be broadly classified as follows:

• Conflict or open hostility - In Malaysia, there are some employers who would use their powers to prevent their workers joining unions. They consider unions to be a "third Party' intervention in the worker-employer relationship.
• Controlled hostility - The employer recognises that employees have the right to form and join unions. However, discreet attempts are made to discourage workers from joining and being active in a union. Such action, if proven, would amount to interfering and is an offence under the Industrial Relations Act.
• Accomodation - This attitude is one of realism. The employer is prepared to compromise with the union, tolerate it and be as reasonable as possible. This is a fairly typical attitude of most large companies today.
• Cooperation - The management is encouraged to work with the union to promote the welfare of the organisation. Joint effort is seen as essential for the survival of the enterprise.
  

Being an ex-union official myself, I really wonder why most employers have to be so anti-union??? Why don't they change their mind-set or paradigm shift........ Accepting unions into a workplace can have more good effects than bad!! Union is always ready to work as partners with the management or employers for the good of the company. Employers should be able to think positively that unions, being co-partners of the company will assist them in the management of its employees, who are also union members. Responsible unions are always there to ensure its members strive hard for the benefits of the company and all its workers.

"Employees are the biggest asset of a company"