Trade unions are voluntary public associations of workers whose purpose is to ensure the protection of the economic interests of workers. Another name for trade unions is trade unions.
Workers' unions emerged in the 19th century. This was due to the struggle between the proletariat and the capitalists who exploited them. England is the birthplace of labor unions. In 1920, trade unions in the United Kingdom comprised about 60% of the total number of workers.
The organization of trade unions in the United States was similar to that in England. In 1869, the first workers' trade union was created in the United States, called the Knights of Labor. By the twentieth century, he had lost the leading position taken by the American Federation of Labor.
Until the end of the 19th century, it was forbidden to create trade unions in Russia. However, in the 1890s, illegal associations began to appear in some parts of the country, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. This is due to the Social Democratic Party, which launched its activities. At the beginning of the 20th century, several of the first legal workers' associations emerged. The peak of the upsurge in the labor movement came in 1917. With the formation of the USSR, trade unions became part of the state trade union structure, which they were members of until 1990. After that, a new stage in the movement began. The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia (FNPR) was approved. In addition to her, there are other professional associations in our country.
In general, the reason for the emergence of trade unions was the asymmetry of the rights enjoyed by the employer and the worker. In case of disagreement with the conditions, the worker could simply be fired, and another one was hired instead. But if the disagreement was expressed not by one worker, but by a whole group, then the employer was forced to listen to their opinion. Modern trade unions, however, influence not only employers, but also state policy in the financial and legislative fields.
Scientists distinguish two main functions of trade unions:
- protective (the trade union influences the employer);
- representative (the trade union influences the state).
Also, some researchers highlight another function - economic, the essence of which is to work on increasing production efficiency.
