This legislation also lays down the ground rules for salary negotiations with unions and other employment conditions. Employers are usually members of associations for their business sector, and, in turn, employees have the right to join the appropriate trade union, but membership in a union is not compulsory. The union agreements apply to all employees in any given industrial or commercial sector, regardless of whether they are members. The trade union movement is strong and well organized, particularly in banks, industries and state entities. Its senior members often contact high-level government officials and representatives of political parties.
Unions therefore exert a strong pressur e on political decisions.
The union movement in general and especially its senior members are militant in the left-wing political parties. Union employee agreements are negotiated as a package that includes not only remuneration levels but also other matters, such as working conditions and fringe benefits. The Ministry of Labor and Social Security plays an important role as a mediator in lab or conflicts. Employee training programs are not usual in Uruguay. Workers' councils are not usually organized or regulated by law.