Are Trade Unions Responding Adequately to the Future of Work
The relevance of trade unions has been debated for decades. Nevertheless, trade unions continue to play a key role in fostering harmonious labour-management relationships. In Jamaica’s case, the trade union movement is rooted in history as far back as the 1930s and they have acted as mediators between employers and employees, advocating for better wages, working conditions, and fair treatment. While the workforce has evolved, their relevance depends on their ability to adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of the world of work.
By virtue of what they do, some people believe that conflict is inherent in the labour-management relationship. Others believe that especially in today’s workplace collaboration, rather than conflict, is better for a productive workplace. The truth is modern unions are relying more on mediation and negotiation to achieve their goals.
Helene Davis Whyte noted that workers tend to feel uncomfortable when there is too positive a relationship between management and unions. This perception often stems from a belief that unions are not advocating strongly enough for employees, especially when they opt for mediation and negotiation over industrial action.
As a trade unionist, Mrs Davis Whyte emphasized the importance of addressing these concerns directly with employees and highlighting the value of a proper working relationship between unions and management. She noted that unions consistently return to their fundamental role in the workplace, placing a heavy focus on the needs of employees. Additionally, she stressed that the traditional adversarial approach has not yielded long-term success. Instead, unions today focus on the broader context and evolving work environment, adapting their strategies to remain effective. It ultimately boils down to the heads of unions understanding the context in which they operate and tailoring their approaches to achieve their objectives.
The global and local workforces are shifting due to digitalization, climate change, and evolving job preferences. Head of the Hugh Shearer Labour Studies Institute, Dr Lauren Marsh posits that for unions to remain relevant they must:
- Align priorities with younger workers’ interests, such as job flexibility.
- Utilize digital platforms for communication and greater engagement
- Embrace innovation and technology
- Advocate for workers in emerging industries
- Engage younger generations through targeted education and outreach
Dr Marsh also believes that to address modern labour challenges, unions must upskill their members, collaborate with academia and industry, and stay informed on global trends. Continuous education ensures they remain effective representatives of workers’ rights.
Do you think trade unions are essential in today’s workplace? Join the discussion here – https://youtu.be/8ZS-FNRpbtQ?si=5hHc_jjsMFhGWcwd