Understanding Unionization: How Do Private and Public Sectors Really Differ?

How Does Private Sector Unionization Differ from Public Sector Unionization?

Options:
1. In terms of strikes?
2. Difference in employees.
3. Years in which they took place.
4. Private sector is easier to organize.

While endorsing the views of Shri. Umakanthan, I would like to add that in the private sector, it is easy to organize provided there is no resistance from the employer or owner. Invariably, you will find resistance to organize in the private sector by the employer or owner.

Regards,

Was your query related to any specific situation or a general research query? If related to any specific situation, please elaborate.

Union vs. Association

The word 'Union' is more often associated with PSUs. In the private sector, the word used is more often than not 'Association'. Keshav Korgaonkar would be able to provide insight if there are any legal reasons for this.

The most recent and well-known private sector union in effect has been the Nokia one, which handled the employees' interests very well during the Nokia Chennai plant closure.

Regards,
TS

I am compelled to add more to my previous answer because of the ambiguity I noticed earlier in the framing of the question, as well as after going through the answers of other members now.

Challenges of Unionization in the Private Sector

Forming a trade union in the private sector is generally difficult because of the natural apathy of most employers towards unionization. Particularly when the industry is knowledge-based and the employability of the employees is also higher, as in the cases of I.T. and I.T.E.S., unionization comes to naught. After the advent of globalization, economies have become highly market-driven, demanding liberal privatization and more flexibility of employment. The political affiliation of every central trade union stands in the way of flexible employment for obvious reasons other than workers' interests. That is why the apathy of private sector employers towards unionization is always on the increase, and they try to scuttle every move in this direction.

Unionization in the Public Sector

In respect of the public sector, unionization is relatively easier since almost all the political parties have their labor wings, and their primacy is dependent upon which party is in power. No CEO of any public sector organization can act in the manner he likes in respect of trade union relations. Since public enterprise is mainly an effort of employment generation, the intake of employment will be relatively larger, and this would easily lead to unionization right from the inception level with the guidance of major central trade unions.

Functional Aspects of Unionization

Regarding functional aspects, important issues like wage revision and other service conditions would be taken care of by the central leaders who are very adept in the art of negotiations and highly influential in making policy decisions. So, plant-level union leaders are left with only day-to-day problems within the plant and keeping the membership intact.

In coercive activities like strikes and work stoppages, there is no difference.

The larger the membership of the trade union, irrespective of its sector, the more effective its strength and bargaining power will be because of its more seasoned and mature outside leadership.