Shortcomings of trade unions

Those who have reservations about the functioning of trade unions may contend that these organisations tend to concentrate on parochial issues, more so than with national and global developments. Whereas this is debatable, such contention is likely to be dismissed as a matter of conjecture. The silence of trade unions on proposed government policies and measures to be introduced, tend to give credence to the contention.

Within the Caribbean region, knowledge of and information on issues being faced by individual trade unions in the various territories is not often known. It can be argued that those embattled trade unions fail to make their counterparts within their geographical space aware of the issue(s) they are facing. In absence of not reaching out, this makes it difficult for them to garner support and solidarity in a time of need.

This raises questions regarding the level of communication that exists within corridors of the local and regional trade union community. In the quest for support and solidarity, those trade unions which have affiliation with regional or international trade unions organisations, tend to reach out to these bodies for support in times of crisis.

It is unlikely that solidarity will occur where there is the fragmentation of trade unions. This underscores the need for the establishment of communication linkages, if the building of trade union unity and solidarity is to be achieved. It has been established that the sharing of information and experiences go a long way in helping to build confidence within the walls of the membership. Further, it contributes to the strengthening of individual and collective action taken by trade unions.

Some will argue that the local trade unions do not pay attention to their visibility. It ought to be apparent to the leadership of trade unions that they must dictate and promote their agenda in the media. They must direct attention to the suffering and hardships of workers, the trampling of workers’ rights, human rights and civil rights.

The promotion of the decent work agenda, addressing the social protection floor and advocating for quality and sustainable jobs, also ought to be paramount. It is also imperative that trade unions speak out as is necessary on political issues and policy decisions, especially where these have implications for workers; whether these are of a social, economic or political nature.

Some may share the opinion that political leaders of the world who have the ears of the media are indirectly addressing matters of interest to labour. It should not be difficult to realise that global political issues are more about the exercise of world political power, authority and control, and not about treating collective bargaining, organizing workers, protecting and promoting the interest of workers.

It is about time that trade union leaders at all levels, internationally, regionally and locally, be more visible and aggressive in their pronouncement of issues regarding the displacement of workers and people such as refugees, the migration of workers, the imprisonment and exile of trade union leaders, the continued acts of forced labour in some parts of the world, and the heinous crime of human trafficking. Other problems that also warrant world attention include equal pay for equal work and the embracing of persons with disabilities within employment. Why should women continue to be marginalised and not paid equally like their male counterparts? Why should persons with disabilities still have to fight to be treated as equals?

What is most disturbing is the fact that many governments across the globe have ratified the eight core ILO Conventions, yet their actions in the treatment of labour are far from what is expected. Trade unions can only blame themselves for the predicament in which they find themselves. They have allowed the political element to embrace them under the guise that as labour parties, they have the interest of working-class people at heart. Even if they are well intended, the evidence points to the fact that their actions often appear not to be consistent with their utterances and the expectations of working-class people.