Workers that do not join Trade Unions ... why?

Abstract

A trade union may be defined as an organization of employees that has as one of its main objectives the negotiation process with employers in order to regulate the pay and conditions of its members. Yet at the same time a trade union is independent of the employers with whom it negotiates, or rather seeks to negotiate (Farnham & Pimlott 1993). Trade unions emerged as a leading movement in civil society structure during the 18th cen.tu ry. They have always played an indispensable role within the Maltese Society. In fact they are a central institution in Malta's industrial relations. At present, Malta enjoys one of the highest rates of unionisation in the world. Locally, trade unions are influential because they are still considerably strong bodies and therefore they do manage to engage the Maltese Government into discussion. The national campaigns they organize are one way of exerting pressure over the state.