Á Quick Study of How Unions
Help Workers Win a VOICE at WORK
What is a union?
Á union is a group of workers who form an organization to gain:
. Respect on the job,
. Better wages and benefits,
. More flexibility for work and family needs,
. Á counterbalance to the unchecked power of employers, and
. Á voice in improving the quality of their products and services.
How do people form a union?
When workers decide to come together to improve their jobs, they work
with a union to help join an existing or form a new trade union. Once
a number of worker shows they want joint form and be represented by
a union employers have a legal obligation to accept their choice.
The workers with their union demand and promote through trade action
the right to negotiate a contract with the employer that spells out
each party's rights and responsibilities in the workplace.
Does the law protect workers
joining unions?
It's supposed to, but too often it doesn't. Under the law, employers
cannot discriminate against ïé fire workers for choosing to join a
union. For example, it's illegal for employers to threaten to shut
down their businesses, fire employees ïé take away benefits if workers
form a union. However, employers routinely violate these laws, and
the penalties are weak or nonexistent.
What kinds of workers are
forming unions today?
Á wider range of people than ever before, including many women and
immigrants, is joining unions-doctors and nurses, poultry workers
and graduate employees, home health care aides and wireless communications
workers, auto parts workers and engineers, to name a few.
How do unions help working
families today?
Through unions, workers win better wages, benefits and a voice on
the job-and good union jobs mean stronger communities. Union workers
earn higher wages than nonunion workers and are more likely to receive
health care and pension benefits than those without a union. Unions
lead the fight today for better lives for working people, such as
through expanded family and medical leave, improved safety and health
protections and fair-trade agreements that lift the standard of living
for workers all over the world.
What have unions accomplished
for all workers?
Unions have made life better for all working people by helping to
pass laws ending child labour, establishing the eight-hour day, protecting
workers' safety and health and helping create Social Security, unemployment
insurance and the minimum wage, for example. Unions are continuing
the fight today to improve life for all working families in Cyprus.
What challenges do workers
face today when they want to form unions?
Today, millions of workers want to join unions. Wise employers understand
that when workers form unions, their companies also benefit. But actually
and in practice many employers still fight workers' efforts to come
together by intimidating, harassing and threatening them. Iç response,
workers are reaching out to their communities for help exercising
their freedom to improve their lives.
For more information, support, counselling
and delivery of our labour relations services, please do not hesitate
to call or get in contact with our Federation.
Telephones:
Nicosia +357 22872177
Limassol +357 25376610
Larnaca +357 24819711
Paphos +357 26933047
E-mail: deok@cytanet.com.cy
