Trade unionists vs politicians

In making a comparison between the practising trade unionist and politician, it must be established upfront that the trade unionist is not a politician. It is an undeniable and undisputed fact that the trade union, as a workers’ organisation, is in the business of building people’s power. It initially assumed an apolitical role, but there has been some shifting in recent times. Some trade unions have moved to establish a convenient alliance with a political party of choice. To some this may be considered as an unfortunate development. This assumption is based on the fact that those trade unions who have sought an alliance with a particular political party have done so in the interest of hoping to influence decisions made by the government and to secure concessions.

To all intents and purposes, the roles and functions of trade unionists are inextricably linked to what is expected and required of trade unions. Above all things, trade unionists are expected to provide representation and advocacy on behalf of the workers. In the execution phase, they become engaged in industrial relations (labour relations/employee relations) matters.

Inevitably, they become involved in political action, as it is through this that they are able to lobby for and influence the change process.   

Apart from all this, they have the added responsibility of providing assistance and services to their members. This includes collectively bargaining and conducting negotiations. These processes involve engaging with the employer for the purpose of securing better wages and salaries, improved conditions of work, benefits, and ensuring that workplace health and safety standards are maintained, as well as promoting a better work-life balance for employees.

In reflecting on the remit of the trade unionists, there is a clear indication that these practitioners have a vested interest in the welfare and well-being of workers and, by extension, members of civil society. The scope of what is expected of them suggests that they ought to pay close attention to social, economic and political developments, since these can potentially have an impact on decisions that are made, Those decisions can have implications for the social and economic advancement of workers, the populace in general, and the growth and development of the nation state.

In making a comparison between the trade unionist and a politician, it would seem that they have a common interest in the representation of the people.  Politicians, especially those who are elected to form the government, acquire the power to make decisions, and to develop public policy. The difference between the trade union and the political party is the partisan nature of the political party. The danger here is that the political party can be guilty of representing sectoral interest. In the final analysis, this contributes to division, and calls accountability and transparency into question.

There is the lingering fear that politicians tend to have more allegiance to the party they represent than the people they serve. In this way, the accusation can be made that the politicians are about service to self. Trade unionists, on the other hand, demonstrate a commitment to the collective strength of workers and, where necessary, to the embrace of members of civil society. The sole purpose is to engage in political action that is directed at getting the Government and the business community to do the right thing.  It is at this point that trade unions demonstrate the ability to organise and mobilise. The decisive advantage which trade unions hold is that they are strategically placed to educate the workforce and the public at large.

Dennis De Peiza is a labour and employee relations consultant with Regional Management Services Inc.