Trade union & work councils

• What are trade unions?

  External organizations acting on behalf of members
• What is required to become a member of a trade union?

  Payment of a fee, possibly monthly
• What do trade unions cover with the fees paid by members?

  Headquarters, legal team, and other costs
• Who do trade unions represent?

  Only their members who pay fees
• What is one of the main roles of trade unions?

  Negotiate wages on behalf of members
• How do trade unions help in negotiations?

  By creating collective bargaining power
• What is a benefit of trade unions for employees?

  Increased negotiating power through unity
• What is a benefit of trade unions for employers?

  Formal communication link with employees
• Why is it more productive for employers to negotiate with trade unions?

  They negotiate with one organization instead of many
• What can happen if management and trade unions do not get along?

  It may lead to industrial action
• What is one form of industrial action?

  Refusing to work overtime
• What does "go slow" mean in industrial action?

  Working the bare minimum of their contract
• What is the most extreme form of industrial action?

  Going on strike
• What is the outcome of a strike for employees and employers?

  Employees lose wages, employers lose output
• What are work councils?

  Internal committees representing all employees
• What do work councils deal with?

  Organizational plans and long-term visions
• What is a worker director?

  An employee representing others on the board
• Where do worker directors exist?

  In some businesses in Germany
• What is the role of a worker director?

  To vote on employee matters at the board
• How do work councils complement trade unions?

  • Work councils represent all employees, not just union members
  • They focus on organizational plans and future visions
  • They provide a platform for employee input at a higher level