Norma Rae: Union Obstacles And Challenges

Management’s Reaction (union obstacles and challenges)

Management takes employee’s wanting to organize as well as a toddler not getting the toy they want. They are not happy and very confrontational to Ruben and Norma Rae as the movie progresses. Management promotes Norma Rae to stop her from complaining and hoping her friends and family would turn against her. They continuously try to keep Ruben out of the factory and hide unionization flyers on the bulletin boards. Management refuses to let Norma Rae’s father go on break early when he starts to have cramp in his arm which ends up being he had a heart attack. They spread lies to the white workers that “the blacks are going to take over the union and screw you over.” Near the climax of the movies management tries to fire Norma Rae

because she is copying flyers on her lunch break, which they cannot do.
This is not so rare compared to things management has practiced in the past. Management has improved pay and conditions of employment for employees resisting unionization, treating union supporters adversely, and refusing workplace access to union organizers. Management in Norma Rae used mainly scare tactics on the employees to keep them from organizing. Fossum (2012) suggests that, "evidence indicates that an aggressive campaign that includes unfair labor practices is associated with management victories." (p. 214) It is not hard to see that in Norma Rae, management feels the fees associated with unfair labor practices is minimal compared to what costs would be incurred if the factory was unionized.
Working Conditions
Poor working conditions is an understatement for the employees in Norma Rae. There was inadequate hearing protection for workers using tiny earbuds instead of over the ear headphones. During short breaks, employees still have to stand unless they can find some space on the steps during lunch. There was not many windows in the factory or proper air circulation. Employees also work long hours every day and sometimes continuous work weeks without a day off.
Achieve by Gaining Union Representation (7reasons you should joing a union hp)
The employees of the factory hope to gain better pay and working conditions from union representation. These two factors are the main reasons many employees are dissatisfied with their current situations and decide to unionize but it does not end there. Besides money and working conditions, employees can also achieve more benefits, fairer disciplinary procedures, job security, and the ability to have their voice heard. Fossum (2012) states, "union organizing campaigns are aimed at increasing perceptions that unions can help attain positive and avoid negative employment outcomes and create more homogeneous attitudes and behaviors." (p.13) In the movie, management cares very little about the employees and know the factory is the main source of income for many families. They use this power to keep pay down and do whatever they want. If the employees are able to gain union representation, they will not only gain power but satisfaction in the workplace.
Union Representation Process
Norma Rae highlights the beginning of the unionization process.

Most of the movie is showing the harsh working conditions and the employee’s need for unionizing. It is not until two-thirds of the movie that part of the union representation process.

There are two ways to start the union representation process. Fossum (2012) states that, "national unions target specific employers or geographic areas and send professional organizers to encourage and assist local employees in unionizing." (p. 157) In Norma Rae, it takes a while to get Norma’s help but once Ruben does, they are able to start the authorization card campaign. This is where organizers contact employees to persuade them to join the union and authorize the union as their agent in collective bargaining. Once there are enough cards signed, the union will request recognition. If approved the union requests an election of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The NLRB determines which bargaining unit will be voted on to represent the employees and holds the election. This was the end of Norma Rae, where the employees voted for unionization and they could begin bargaining with

management.
The Political Agendas of the Union
In Norma Rae, the national union did not get involved until close to the end of the movie and it was difficult to see their political agendas. The focus of Norma Rae is about a single worker trying to help her fellow employees. The closest thing to a political agenda is the national union representatives being worried about rumors surrounding Norma Rae and the image she promotes.
Relationship between the National Union and the Local Unit
Normally, Fossum suggests "the national unions charter locals, provide services, and usually require that locals obtain permission to ratify contracts or strike." (p. 113) Unfortunately, the national union seems more concerned with the image of Norma Rae and rumors surrounding her then helping the local unionize. There is only the brief instance of Ruben meeting with the national union representatives and it is hard to fully understand the relationship dynamic between the two. The finale of the movie is the employees voting for unionization, the audience does not get to see the interactions between the local and national units.
Avoiding Unionization (eight best strategies)
The company should attempt to avoid union organizing but they have to do it legally and to better the employees' experience. Many companies implement preventative programs. As Fossum (2012) informs:
employers design programs aimed at influencing employees to identify with management and the goals and culture of the organization, controlling contextual attributes that unions typically argue they can improve, and monitoring attitudes and behaviors of employees to gain early evidence of any changes or situations that might encourage organizing. (p. 211)
These plans help management legally keep unions out of the workplace and implement some strategies. The strategies can include open-door policies, communication, transparency with employees, creating a fair workplace, and listening to employees. Management in Norma Rae never listened to the employees or allowed them to voice their concerns and opinions. To better improve the working conditions and avoid unionizing, the managers need to listen to their employees, promote a fairer workplace, and communicate changes effectively. They should also take the position of being pro-worker instead of anti-union.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Norma Rae was an excellent movie to depict the struggles of employees and the need to unionize. Management took actions to perform unfair labor practices because they felt the fees would be less than the factory being unionized. Although, management did not need to resort to such practices, if they had attempted to listen and work with employees, the employees might have been more satisfied and would not resort to organizing. It is important for management to weight the pros and cons of the company organizing and implement a plan to keep the company from organizing.