Trade association

A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association or sector
association, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific
industry. An industry trade association participates in public relations activities such as
advertising, education, political donations, lobbying and publishing, but its main focus is
collaboration between companies, or standardization. Associations may offer other services,
such as producing conferences, networking or charitable events or offering classes or
educational materials. Many associations are non-profit organizations governed by laws and
directed by officers who are also members.
In countries with a social market economy, the role of trade associations is often taken by
employers' organizations, which also have a role in the social dialogue.
Here to Help the Industry Grow
The Scuba Industries Trade Association aims to represent the Manufacturers, Distributors,
Retailers, Training Organisations, Registered Dive Schools, Dive Boat Charter Operators,
Journals, Travel Organisations and recognised, approved Marine Charities, relating to the
Scuba Industry. The Scuba Industries Trade Association Limited (by guarantee) is governed
by the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Aims & Objectives
The Aims and Objectives are as set out in the Memorandum of Association. The Aims and
Objectives set out below are without prejudice to the generality of Clause 3 of the
Memorandum.
1. To promote, market and represent the Manufacture, Retail and Training sectors of the
Scuba Diving Industry and to advise on Government and Local Authority Regulations
and to work together to improve the safety standards and encompass the Conservation
aspect in Scuba Diving.
2. To assist with the development of standards and to ensure that where possible member
companies comply with relevant standards.
3. To afford member companies an opportunity for the interchange of views on any
matters generally affecting Scuba Diving.
4. To represent member companies whenever the occasion to arises.
5. To promote, develop and protect the interests of the Scuba Industry; to promote and
originate improvements in the law in any way affecting the Scuba Industry, and to
support or oppose alterations therein; to effect improvements in administration; and
for purposes aforesaid to support or oppose any proceedings in Parliament or
elsewhere and to take such steps (if any) as may be deemed necessary or expedient.
6. To take, defend, contribute to, or assist in any proceedings by or against any Member
of the Scuba Industries Trade Association itself in which the general rights or interest
of the Scuba Industries Trade Association may be involved or affected.
7. To promote, or support, any paper, journal. magazine or other publication supporting
the aims of the Scuba Industry and to undertake by means as members may from time
to time determine, measures to promote and develop the Scuba Industry by means of
exhibitions, fairs and other publicity methods.

Vision and Mission

To be the force for value creation and innovation driving a safe, secure and profitable air
transport industry that sustainably connects and enriches our world.
Representing the airline industry
We improve understanding of the air transport industry among decision makers and increase
awareness of the benefits that aviation brings to national and global economies. Advocating
for the interests of airlines across the globe, we challenge unreasonable rules and charges,
hold regulators and governments to account, and strive for sensible regulation.
Leading the airline industry
For nearly 70 years, we have developed global commercial standards upon which the air
transport industry is built. Our aim is to assist airlines by simplifying processes and
increasing passenger convenience while reducing costs and improving efficiency.
Serving the airline industry
We help airlines to operate safely, securely, efficiently, and economically under clearly
defined rules. Professional support is provided to all industry stakeholders with a wide range
of products and expert services.
2.2 The Function of Trade Unions
In each country, trade union legislation (usually a Trade Union Act) gives a legal definition
of a trade union, and sets out its objectives. The Labour Relations Code 1976, established
under the Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act 1975 of Jamaica sets out what is
considered to be the main objectives of the trade union:
The main objective of a trade union is to promote the interest of its members, due regard
being paid to the interest of the total labour force and to the greater national interest. To
achieve this aim, trade unions have a duty to maintain the viability of the undertaking by
ensuring cooperation with management in measures to promote efficiency and good industrial
relations.
Trade unions should therefore:
1. where appropriate, maintain jointly with management and other trade unions effective
arrangements at industry or local levels for negotiation, consultation, and
communication and for settling grievances and disputes;
2. take all reasonable steps to ensure that their officials and members observe all
arrangements;
3. provide for the training of delegates in the scope of their powers and duties and the
day-to-day operation of the unions;
4. provide adequate educational opportunities for the advancement of their members;
5. be properly staffed to serve the needs of their members, and allow for effective lines
of communication between such staff and the rank and file membership;

6. encourage members to take part in their activities by adopting such means as would
best allow them to do so, including the compilation and distribution of information;

1. Political role
In many instances, trade unions were established in the Caribbean before the advent of
political parties which evolved from the trade unions. This resulted in a close nexus between
the two institutions which were often organically linked. In the early stages of their
development, some trade unions functioned as rate payers institutions, increasing the wages
of members who were then able to become electors by reaching the required franchise
qualifications.
2. Market role
The market, or economic role of trade unions is no doubt the dominant role practised by
Caribbean trade unions. Exclusive, collective bargaining trade unions negotiate wages and
salaries, helping to distribute the value added in the business firm and increasing the spending
power of their members in the economy.
In societies where the majority of people are wage or salary earners, the role of the trade
union in regulating the local economy is extremely important. Labour costs are an important
consideration in determining the ability of locally-produced goods and services to compete
against any externally produced items.
3. Regulatory role
The early craft union has as one of its basic functions the regulation of apprenticeship and
setting of standards of work required of journeymen and master craftsmen, and linking this to
pay. Trade unions are still influential in determining and establishing job standards in the
workplace.
Increasingly, management has sought to regain control of the workplace and to determine
unilaterally, matters relating to the nature of jobs and other working conditions. Even at the
international level, employers are claiming that workplace standards, in keeping with ILO
Conventions and Recommendations, are proving onerous and difficult to maintain. There is
an increasing trend towards attempts at rolling back many of the gains achieved by trade
unions.
4. Democratizing role
The trade unions rank and file are provided with the opportunity of electing their stewards,
committees of management, and through the delegate system, their executives and other
leaders. The process of preparation for collective bargaining also encourages worker
participation. Trade unions are fertile institutions for the furtherance of participatory
democracy, for the freedom of assembly, the right to speak freely and the right to exercise
choice.

Traditionally the separation between capital and labour has created a situation where it has
been accepted that management is imbued with the right to manage, which is binterpreted to
mean that workers are mere resources to be manipulated like any other resource.
5. Service role
Trade unions attempt to develop services which are valuable to their members as individuals,
outside of the scope of collective bargaining. In the early stages, this took the form of mutual
assistance, but with the onset of the welfare state, with provisions for national insurance and
similar schemes, this demand has abated.
Yet trade unions have recognized the need to expand their role in assisting their members in a
variety of areas, and so have undertaken a number of non-traditional ventures on behalf of
their members. Some of the most successful cooperative organizations, particularly credit
unions in the Caribbean, have been developed by trade unions on behalf of their members.
Trade unions have also developed housing land-lease schemes, transport and service stations,
banks, laundermats, cinemas, stores, insurance programmes and other schemes for the benefit
of
members.
6. Enhancement role
Trade unions provide the opportunity for workers to develop pride in themselves, to reach
positions of leadership and to excel, where without this vehicle of mobility, many would have
had a stultified existence. Many persons who have moved on to management and other
leadership roles can testify to their beginnings as shop stewards who were given basic
training
and
opportunity
for
leadership
in
the
labour
movement.
Trade unions can develop as multi-issue, multi-functional organizations catering to the wide
interest of their members. Thus, for those diverse interests, trade unions can provide
organizational support to enhance their effectiveness. Groups such as the youth, women, and
the elderly can be given the opportunity to develop themselves through programmes which
cater to their needs.
7. Welfare role
Some trade unions have actively engaged in providing welfare services for members and
even for the wider community. This takes various forms including the employment of those
who have disabilities, as an example to the wider community, the provision of family services
including baby creches, child care centres and old peoples homes, as well as play and
recreational centres in depressed areas.