Norma Rae: Union Obstacles And Challenges

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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 …show more content…

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

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