Questions

What is a trade union?

A trade union is an organisation made up of members (a membership-based organisation) and its membership must be made up mainly of workers. One of a trade union's main aims is to protect and advance the interests of its members in the workplace.

Most trade unions are independent of any employer. However, trade unions try to develop close working relationships with employers. This can sometimes take the form of a partnership agreement between the employer and the trade union which identifies their common interests and objectives.

Trade unions:

• negotiate agreements with employers on pay and conditions

• discuss major changes to the workplace such as large scale redundancy

• discuss their members' concerns with employers

• accompany their members in disciplinary and grievance meetings

• provide their members with legal and financial advice

• provide education facilities and certain consumer benefits such as discounted insurance

Employers should always consult with employees before dismissing them on the grounds of redundancy. There are two ways this might be done through individual or collective consultation. Your employer should always consult with you individually and may have to consult collectively.

Workplace consultation

Workplace consultation involves your employer talking to you or your representatives about their plans and listening to your ideas.

If your employer is thinking about making redundancies, they should consult with any employees that could be affected by their decision. The consultation should aim to provide employees with a way to influence the redundancy process. It should be carried out with the aim of coming to an agreement about any action and should be conducted in a spirit of co-operation.

Consultation with individuals

Your employer should always consult you individually. This will normally involve:

• speaking to you directly about why you have...