The article deals with the changing role of global and Indian trade unions in the context of worker apathy, changed regulations and meager finances. It also spells out areas where tomorrow's trade unions could be active by focusing on social security measures, worker education and environmental betterment. It is theorized that tomorrow's trade unions will play these changed roles along with their traditional ones.

Workers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains... this passionate plea of Karl Marx found followers in regions far removed from where his ideas originated and led to geopolitical and commercial tremors whose legacies we are perhaps still living out.

The 1.8-million Service Employees International Union (SEIU) recently demanded that the prosperity that is accruing to the private equity firms should be shared by the community at large as the new economy is pushing the middle class down the social and economic ladder. Some of the recent buyouts they referred to included The Thomas H Lee buyout of Warner Music, the "Zens Holidays" buyout of Intelsat and the Bain buyout of KB Toys The SEIU felt that workers should not be reduced to some insignificant items on a private equity balance sheet but should be compensated for the value they help create. Some of the demands made by SEIU include participation by workers in meetings where such equity deals are struck, involvement of all stakeholders from contract workers to senior management personnel, adequate paychecks, secure retirement benefits and a "voice" for workers at work.

Many unions, especially in the Indian context, have hardly any assets worth the name. They survive on pamphleteering and political and management patronage. In terms of dwindling membership numbers and increasing worker apathy the slide is clearly discernible. SIEU's passionate plea for a "voice" at the workplace is thus understandable as it is perhaps our own national scene extended internationally.

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