Trade unions are associations of traders or professionals formed to protect the rights and interests of their members and they are legally recognized by law through the Labor Relations Act. They play an important role in influencing laws and policies aimed at public servants. To achieve this, they use various means and methods, including: memoranda, strikes and legal measures, among others. Memoranda: This is a way to influence laws and policies for public sector employees. This involves members expressing their grievances to their leaders who, in turn, sit down with the employer or government representative for negotiations. If the negotiations result in an agreement, a memorandum is signed detailing the conclusions of the negotiations. But if negotiation fails, the situation usually results in a strike (Locke, 2010). Strikes: Strikes involve refusing to work, working at a slower pace, or engaging in other activities during work hours. A strike mainly occurs when workers and employers cannot agree on issues regarding increasing wages and improving working conditions. Legal measures: When the workers' union cannot reach an agreement with the employers, they may choose to take legal action. measures in favor of equity and justice. Depending on the court's decision, laws and policies governing employment conditions can be changed either in favor of the union and workers or in favor of the employer (Siyafura Uploaders, 2009). Management and unions have fundamentally conflicting interests. Indeed, although most management understands that treating a worker in the right way increases their ability and motivation to work, others attempt to maximize the worker's needs... middle of paper. So, they use the same means of transportation, buy food in the same stores and pay their bills in the same way. Therefore, both have the right to strike for better employment conditions (Locke, 2010). Works Cited Amazon.co.ke. Unions. Retrieved from: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAunion.htm Levin Yuval, (2011). Collective bargaining in the public sector. Retrieved from: http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260241/collective-bargaining-public-sector-yuval-levin? Page=1#Locke Gary, (2010). New resources for employers and unions to help keep health coverage accessible and affordable. Retrieved from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/31/new-resources-employers-and-unions-help-keep-health-coverage-accessible-and-affordab.Siyafura Uploaders, (2009 ). The influence of unions. Retrieved from: http://cnx.org/content/m22933/latest/