IMPACT OF EARLY TRADE UNIONS ON MODERN DAY CONDITIONS

The trade unions set up in the Industrial Revolution set an example for unions that formed later. They gained enough power to improve working conditions and make them fair. They played important roles in the economy and politics. Employers realised the power and importance of workers and attended to their needs. The workers of today are given importance and the fair treatment they deserve. Nowadays, labour unions are not as powerful as they once were as a balance of power is being maintained between employers and employees to control the amount of power both parties have over the other and ensure negotiations are not biased. However, they still have the freedom to meet and negotiate working conditions, wages and benefits. Trade unions are the joined voices of workers and can settle issues or concerns with employers on behalf of employees in that particular union. Unions can provide more protection and rewards for workers than what is primarily set by the laws of the government. Unions are a great option for workers looking for assistance in protecting their best interests and reducing inequality. Examples of the biggest unions of today’s world include the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU), the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the General Confederation of Labour (CGT).