Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Trade Union Official- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Working Life
Trade Union officials give advice when members have a problem at work, and represent them in negotiations with their employer. They circulate information between employers and employees, deal with legal and safety matters, disputes and pay claims and represent members in difficulty, for example in cases of injury and unfair dismissal.
Union members usually elect someone to speak on their behalf - this could be a shop steward or office representative. These representatives pass on their views to the management and to full-time union officials. Most unions have branches to support local organisations. In larger organisations, there may be a union branch on the premises, staffed by elected or recruited officers (depending on the union). Very large organisations may have full-time officials on the premises.
Most full-time officials are field officers working in branch and district offices. They cover an industry or area, helping elected office or workplace representatives, and often taking part in negotiations themselves.
Field officers organise, support and advise workplace representatives. Many will also supervise teams of clerical support staff. Other typical duties include attending and organising meetings, rallies and conferences.
National officials work in head offices alongside specialists in trade union affairs, including accountants, lawyers, researchers, and press and information officers. Duties include recruiting members to the union, managing union funds, public relations, general administration and dealing with the media. Head office officials help to plan and put into practice union policy. The job involves dealing with people, analysing information and organising time effectively.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
- Monitor company or workforce adherence to labor agreements.
- Present the position of the company or of labor during arbitration or other labor negotiations.
- Write letters related to labor relations activities, such as letters to amend collective bargaining agreements, letters of dispute or conciliation, or letters to seek clarification of contract terms.
- Draft contract proposals or counter-proposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations.
- Call or meet with union, company, government, or other interested parties to discuss labor relations matters, such as contract negotiations or grievances.
- Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor relations processes.
- Assess the impact of union proposals on company or government operations.
- Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability.
- Recommend collective bargaining strategies, goals, or objectives.
Further Information
- Trade Union Official- from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - Trade Union Official
As a Trade Union official, you should have a thorough knowledge of industrial legislation and an understanding of management techniques. Good communication skills are very important. You should have strong powers of reasoning and analysis, and be capable of motivating, advising and training workplace officials.
A confident, outgoing nature is important. Good negotiating skills are required, in addition to administrative and organisational abilities. You should enjoy being involved in problem solving situations.
You should be passionate about wanting to help and support people at work, and be committed to protecting their interests. You should have an understanding of the important part that unions play and have played in making our working lives fair, safe and properly rewarded. You should also keep up-to-date with current employment issues, for example, new legislation to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities in the workplace.
Interests - Trade Union Official
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Entry / Progression - Trade Union Official
Many trade unions elect full-time field officers. It is likely that you will have worked as a part-time or 'lay' official before seeking election (or recruitment) to a full-time post. A sub-committee of a union's general council makes all other appointments after they have considered background, experience and training. Opportunities are limited if you have not been active in a union. Unions normally expect applicants to have been members of the union for a minimum of two years (although this varies between unions). Some unions may appoint graduates and give them training.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: business admin, customer service, management.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: business management, commerce, human resources, politics, law, community development, public relations.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Financial Services, Sales, Recruitment.
Search for Apprenticeships
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: business management, politics, law, commerce, public relations, human resources.
Search for CAO Courses
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include: business, public relations, industrial relations, management.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Professional Development
Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.
Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.
Pay & Salary - Trade Union Official
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €75k
Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.
Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Morgan McKinley/ ICTU/ Brightwater/ Clark/ Collins McNicholas/ Osborne
Last Updated: March, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Trade Union Official
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Human resource managers and directors, Human resources and industrial relations officers.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).
Employment growth was marginally above the national average for this occupation, with employment levels almost unchanged between 2022 and 2023. Three quarters of those employed were female and 85% were in full-time roles (above the national average of 78%).
Employment permits were issued in 2023 across all sectors for roles including recruitment consultants, HR generalists/specialists, talent acquisition specialists and HR managers. Spotlight on Skills data noted that talent development (and not just retention) is in high demand which requires learning and career development skills.
The greater emphasis being placed on retention, talent development and staff wellbeing will likely counteract any potential fall in demand for HR roles for recruitment purposes due to fall in the number of hirings since the post-COVID peak in 2022.
Useful Contacts - Trade Union Official
-
SIPTU (Services, Industrial, Professional, Technical Union)
- Liberty Hall, Dublin 1
- (01) 858 6300
- Click Here
-
Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU)
