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Explain the various types of unions on the basis of their structure.
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(1) A craft union is the simplest form of trade union. It is usually formed of workers belonging to the same craft, occupation or specialisation no matter in what industry or trade they happen to be employed. Thus, electricians though working in different industries may form union of electricians only. There may be separate unions for fitters, turners, carpenters, etc. The International Wood Carver's Association and the Indian Pilots' Guide may be cited as examples of craft unions. A craft union has the following merits:
(a) People belonging to the same craft or profession constitute a compact, well-knit, cohesive group. With their identical training and educational background these workers very soon develop similar perceptions and outlook and organising these workers in a group becomes relatively easier.
(b) Craft unions consisting of workers possessing some important skill enjoy superior bargaining position. Their workers cannot be easily replaced in a strike. Strike in a craft union may paralyses the entire working of the organisation. Hence, craft unions generally succeed in securing more favourable terms and conditions for their members.
The main weaknesses of & craft union are:
(a) It is often easier for an employer to break this type of union. When several occupational groups in an industry are independently organised and each has its own agreement, the employer has only to break one organisation at a time. Joint action by all workers, because of different agreements with different craft workers, becomes difficult.
(b) With the advancement in technology, the traditional distinction among various crafts disappears. This destroys the very basis of a craft union. This is one reason why craft unions are generally found to oppose technological advances.
© The craft unions are not likely to have a clear perspective of the needs of the working class as a whole. Moreover, by excluding a very big chunk of unskilled workers, these unions undermine the solidarity of workers' movement.
2. An industrial union organises workers on basis of industry rather than a craft. If the entire labour force of a cotton textile factory decides to form a union consisting of workers of different crafts, the union is called an industrial union. The Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh and the Girni Kamgar Union at Bombay belong to this type. The main strength of this type of union lies in the fact that it cuts across skill and craft distinctions of workers employed in an industry and attempts to vulcanise them into one union. This type of union has the following merits:
(a) They make negotiations easy. Employers are spared the trouble of bargaining separately with a number of unions established on a craft basis.
(b) They encourage workers solidarity by bringing both skilled and unskilled workers closer.
© These unions are the need of the present times when mass production techniques have obliterated craft distinctions and industry wide unions are the only answer.
One drawback of this union in that the skilled workers feel that they are swamped by the unskilled workers.
(3) A General Union embraces all workers in its fold whatever their industry or craft may be. The Jamshedpur Labour Union, whose membership includes workers engaged in different industries and crafts of Jamshedpur, is an example of a general union.
The trade union movement in India began in the industrial unions though it is now moving towards craft unionism.
