Trade Union

A trade union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labor contracts with employers. This may include the negotiation of wages, work rules, complaint procedures, rules governing hiring, firing and promotion of workers, benefits, workplace safety and policies. The agreements negotiated by the union leaders are binding on the rank and file members and the employer and in some cases on other non-member workers.

A trade union is an independent association or combination of employees that acts as a voice to regulate relations between employees and employers for the purpose of improving good industrial relations, enhance economic and social status of both parties as well as finding solutions to raise productivity for the benefit of those involved.

The IRA (industrial relation act) protects the right of every worker in Malaysia to join or not to join a trade union.

The objective of such collective bargaining is to conclude a collective agreement with the trade union. Where an independent trade union is recognized, the employer is obliged to disclose information to the trade union to facilitate the bargaining process by:-

·           Negotiate wages and working condition terms;

·           To improve the working conditions and working practices of its members;

·           Regulate relations between its members and the employer;

·           Take collective action to enforce the terms of collective bargaining;

·           Raise new demands on behalf of its members;

·           To support the training and professional development of its members;

·           To ensure that members interest are considered by the employers when any decision is made which will affect the workforce;

·           Help settle grievances;

·           To follow all legislative as per Trade Union Act, 1959.