When you join a trade union, you are subject to its rules and to any penalties the trade union imposes if you break them. This may include expulsion, refusal of access to trade union benefits or facilities, or a fine. This punishment is usually called discipline. Show
Trade union disciplineA trade union could discipline you by:
If you are disciplined by a trade union then the decision to discipline you must be allowed by its rules. Some discipline is unlawful whether or not it is allowed by the rules. Being expelled by a trade unionGenerally, once you have joined a trade union, you have the right to remain a member for as long as you want, provided, of course, that you continue to pay subscriptions in-line with the trade union's rules. Broadly there are two circumstances in which a trade union may be able to expel you:
In both cases the law limits the circumstances in which the trade union may expel you. Expulsion for a class of membership reasonA trade union can limit its membership to include only people:
A trade union can also expel you if:
Expulsion for a conduct reasonA trade union can expel you for conduct that it finds unacceptable. But a trade union may not expel you for the following conduct:
However, any decision to expel you from a trade union must be taken in-line with the trade union’s rules. Unjustifiable disciplineThere are certain actions that your trade union must not discipline you for. If it does, the discipline will automatically be unjustifiable and you will be able to make a complaint to an industrial tribunal. The actions are outlined below. Strikes and other industrial actionA trade union must not discipline you for:
Statements against a trade unionA trade union must not discipline you for:
Other behaviour that you must not be disciplined forA trade union must not discipline you for:
What to do if you have a problemIf you think your trade union wrongly expelled you or that it has disciplined you wrongly, for example because the discipline was automatically unfair, you should use the trade union’s complaints procedures. Your trade union office should be able to provide you with details of the complaints procedure. If you are unhappy with the results of using the procedure you might be able to complain to an industrial tribunal. Who Cannot go on strike?A few professions are already not allowed to strike. Police officers, for example, are banned from taking strike action. Nurses have an agreement that they should only walk out if it does not risk the wellbeing of patients.
What is the right not to join the union?Workers have the right, under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), to refuse to join a union. However, some collective bargaining agreements -- the contracts between the employer and the union -- require a company to employ only union workers to do certain jobs.
Who can participate in collective bargaining?Collective bargaining is a voluntary process through which employers and workers discuss and negotiate their relations, in particular terms and conditions of work.
What are the 4 types of unions?Types of Trade Unions – 4 Main Types: Craft Union, Industrial Union, General Union and Federations. Trade unions fight for workers' rights. ... . Apart from wages and terms of employment, modern unions also take up issues concerning production norms, introduction of new products, technological changes and the like.. |