A union is an association of workers whose purpose is to defend the labor rights of the sector they represent and promote initiatives, projects, and laws that are of interest to them.
Trade unions are freely formed associations of public and private sector workers. This principle of freedom of association, recognized as a right, guarantees their autonomy from the interests of the employer.
Once established, the union represents the sector’s workers and defends them against labor abuses by employers, whether public or private.
From the general function of trade unions, a series of specific functions arise, among which we can mention:
- The negotiation of the collective agreement when applicable;
- Representation of workers with individual contracts when required;
- The supervision and protection of industrial safety conditions;
- Monitoring compliance with social security;
- Demand and promote adequate conditions for the enjoyment of rights in the workplace.
Types of unions
Guild unions: these are those that bring together workers of the same trade.
Company or institution unions: these are unions made up of workers from a single company or institution, regardless of the work performed.
Industry, activity, or branch unions: These are unions made up of workers from the same sector who belong to different companies. For example, a union in the automotive industry.
Inter-company unions: These are unions that bring together workers from two or more neighboring companies, each with fewer than 25 workers, whose number and/or characteristics prevent them from joining any of the previous unions (by guild, by branch, or by company/institution).
Independent workers’ unions: These are formed by independent and permanent workers who do not have employers nor are employers of anyone.
Temporary workers’ unions: These are unions formed by workers on temporary contracts, either on a rolling basis or temporarily.
Trade union federation: This is the union and organization of several unions according to their branch of federation. These unions can be regional, national, and international.
National trade union center: refers to the gathering and organization of all trade unions in a national representation, regardless of the area or branch of work. It can also allow direct membership of workers.
World Trade Union Centre: This is the gathering of national trade unions into two major international trade union groups.
See also: Employment and Trades and Professions
History of trade unions
From a legal perspective, unions emerged in the 19th century following the development of the Industrial Revolution. Their origin lies in the guilds , which were groups of artisans very characteristic of the pre-industrial era.
With the economic and social transformations brought about by industrialization, guilds disappeared. However, they were not immediately replaced by unions, since in the early years of industrialization, worker associations were expressly prohibited.
Then came a period of tolerance, and finally, in 1824, England became the first country to admit the right to trade unions. From that moment on, the trade union movement began to grow.
