Why being member of a trade union?

The Labor Law establishes the minimum rights of workers. In addition, the law contains references to which these rights can be determined to a higher degree by a general collective agreement, branch collective agreement or collective agreement at the employer level. As individuals, we certainly can not influence much on our employer, but employees together, organized in trade unions, have greater negotiating power. The majority of labor rights that are today considered as “self-reliant”, such as: eight-hour working hours, the right to paid leave and paid sick leave, the right to paid daily, weekly and annual leave, paid maternity leave are a direct result of the long-lasting and painstaking work and struggle of trade unions, starting from the 19th century onward. In addition, the workers’ movement played a key role in the establishment of a welfare state, that is, a society based on social security, which includes,  general health and pension insurance and the right to compensation during unemployment. Among the main goals of trade unions today are the representation of workers before the employer, the protection and promotion of working conditions, safe and equitable workplaces where there is no discrimination on any grounds, promoting social and workers’ solidarity and building a society in which the right to work will be practice for every citizen, to receive salary for the work done, from which he can live in dignity, as well as social security in conditions of unemployment, sickness and in old ages. The basic principles of democratic trade unionism are unity and solidarity. Can the employer prohibit you from joining the trade union? The answer is NO! The right of every worker to join a trade union is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia and the Labor Law. Also, according to the Labor Law, no one can be placed in a disadvantageous position, be discriminated or be punished in any way, for trade union membership. The trade union is primarily its members. Each member of a trade union has the right to participate in trade union activities, to attend trade union meetings, to propose, to choose and to be elected to a trade union function or in the bodies of the trade union. The strength and position of the trade union depends on the number of its members, but also on their willingness to actively engage in trade union work and democratic processes through the organs of the trade union. The basic condition for a trade union to be engaged in social dialogue and negotiate the conclusion of a collective agreement, to be a signatory to a collective agreement, is to be representative trade union, that has membership, at least 20% of the total number of employees at the employer, ie the total number of employees at the sector / department level. Also, because the membership fee is the main source of trade union financing, the greater the number of trade union members, the greater the financial power and independence of the organization in advocacy and the protection of the rights of its members.

5 REASONS: Why should I be MEMBER of SADU?

Reason no 1 – FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND COURT REPRESENTATION

SADU provides free legal aid, consultations and counseling for their labor rights to the members, as well as free legal representation throughout the duration of court procedures for violation of their labor rights.

Reason no 2 – RIGHTS OF COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS

SADU is committed to promoting social dialogue and collective bargaining at the level of the institution, and provides trade union representatives with technical, administrative and professional support at the level of trade union organizations in the process of preparing, signing, monitoring and application of individual collective agreements (at the level of employer), while at the same time it advocates signing a branch collective agreement for employees in state, judicial and local authorities.

Reason no 3 – SOLIDARITY HELP

SADU has established a system of decentralized management of the funds from the collected membership fee. With this trade union policy, it is possible for each trade union organization to form a SOLIDARITY FUND through which grants or gives non-interest loans to all SADU members , for material support in case of illness and treatment, injury at work, procurement of drugs and medical devices, elementary disasters, death of the employee or a member of his family, education of children, etc.

Reason no 4 – TRADE UNION EDUCATION

SADU for trade union representatives and activists provides trade union education and training for trade union work and activities, through organized participation in trade union schools, seminars, conferences, tribunes and round tables in the country and abroad.

Reason no 5 – TRADE UNION BENEFITS

SADU by concluding agreements on business – technical cooperation with many domestic companies from different industries allows its members benefits BY purchasing of goods and services under favorable conditions, with certain discounts, privileges, through installments through retention from salary.

How can I sign up in SADU?

Membership in SADU is very simple. If you want to join SADU, you can do this by hand-signing an application form filled in two (2) copies to our address: ул. 50th Division No.25 1001 Skopje. The Template form you can download here.