Advantages and Disadvantages of Trade Union Membership
Advantages
Acts as a communication channel between employers and employees.
Helps solve disputes through negotiation and collective bargaining.
Negotiates for higher wages and better working conditions.
Can improve productivity and workers' standards of living.
Encourages governments to introduce or increase minimum wages.
Better pay and conditions can increase worker motivation and firm profits.
Reduces workplace conflicts and improves industrial relations.
Increases employee loyalty and labour productivity.
Provides legal advice and support to workers facing job loss or redundancy.
Disadvantages
Industrial action (such as strikes) can reduce productivity.
Strikes may cause disruption to firms and the wider economy.
Demands for higher wages and better conditions can increase production costs.
Higher costs may reduce firms' profits.
Lower profits can reduce government tax revenues.