Unions have fought hard for centuries so that workers in a variety of countries have the ability to negotiate their wages, benefits, and working conditions. These three categories are the most important when it comes to a job, which means that these workers should have the ability to discuss with employers what they want from these three areas. All workers should be given the right to negotiate these three factors either prior to applying or after accepting a job or position. The first area that all workers should have the right to negotiate for is their earnings. This is a very important category because, in the end, this is how these workers are feeding their families back home. Workers should be allowed this right for a wide variety of …show more content…
This is also a very important category because these added benefits could be the deciding factor for deciding to accept, or leave, a position or job. Many unionized jobs already have the basic insurances, such as health and pensions, but employers should be available to hear out special cases. In case of family health emergencies, or personal health emergencies, unions have stepped in to grant time to workers who may be faced with these problems. The best part about the unions fighting for this right is that these workers can focus on helping their family, or themselves, get better and not worry about losing their position or job. Workers, however, rarely know about this right, which means that it is important that unions inform these workers of this in case of such emergencies. Two other benefits that unions have fought for include unemployment and workers compensation. Workers that are laid off because of reasons out of their control can apply for some income by going to their union. These unions are in place to help anyone in desperate need of income and can distribute information and applications that grant this aid to workers. The added benefit of workers compensation is essential to many workers injured on the job. Personally knowing, and being related, to people who are supported by workers compensation helps to show me how important this actually is. After my …show more content…
All workers have the right to have a clean and safe work environment, this even takes care of discrimination in the workplace. Unions have fought hard to give workers rights that keep their workplace safe, if these laws are being broken, then a union can step in and ensure that the wellbeing of workers is a number one priority. Unions are also a place that gives a voice to workers who have concerns about their workplace, if the unions do step in, then they can solve these problems that workers may have with an employer. If a union does get a notice that workplace violations are occurring, then they send representatives to inspect the employer, but this must be brought to the attention of the union. Another big part of workplace safety is discrimination in the workplace, if a worker feels like he or she is being discriminated against by their employer or that they are in a hostile work environment, they could go to unions. This discrimination is against union labor laws and, therefore, could be dealt with by unions to keep a smooth workplace going. Unions are in place to exercise and inform workers of their rights to keep them safe from dangers in the workplace and keep it smooth and
Labor’s rights, this issue have been bothering many worker since the 19th century and can still be a problem today. As John L. Lewis has said in his speech “I repeat that labor seeks peace and guarantees its own loyalty, but the voice of labor, insistent upon its rights, should not be annoying to the ears of justice or offensive to the conscience of the American people” (John L. Lewis), which under his words meant that labor is something that can be done right and peacefully but it needs rules and benefits that come with those rules which labor asks for and when labor asks for those rules and benefits it shouldn’t be taken like some annoying kid’s demands but more as something that needs to be done and done with a right mind set. Labor today consists of a man or woman going to work, working their hours, and finally getting paid for those hours at the end of the week, at least a minimum of $7.50 an hour (United States Department of Labor), but before it wasn’t like that before many workers would get paid very poorly even thought they would work for a lot of hours and they wouldn’t get benefits from their work or safety when working such as in the mines like the mine workers, but one man stood up for them and his name was John L. Lewis (John Llewellyn Lewis, Encyclopedia).
Unions are voluntary associations joined by workers. The Combination Act of 1800, which hindered the growth of unions, states that every workman's goal, who are entering into any combination should not be obtaining an advance of wages, or to lessen or alter the hours, or influencing any other to quit his work. Any workman who did so shall be committed to jail (Doc 1). Although the Combination Act of 1800 prevented the growth of unions, Ralph Chaplin believes that a worker should join the union. He states that there can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun, but the unions, which makes it strong (Doc 2). Since there's so many workers working in bad conditions, the labor laws came to action.
Unionism is the concept that traditionally business, especially big businesses are inherently going to exploit their employees. Therefore, in order to protect themselves, the workers form organizations called unions, in which all laborers who work at a certain craft, or in a certain industry band together. By this process of “joining forces”, the unions gain power in numbers. Unions traditionally try to protect employee interests by negotiating with employers for wages and benefits, working hours, and better working conditions.
Unions have an extensive history of standing up for workers. They have advocated rights of steelworkers, coal miners, clothing factory employees, teachers, health care workers, and many others. The labor movement is based on the idea that organized workers as a group have more power than individuals would have on their own. The key purpose of any union is to negotiate contracts, making sure workers are respected and fairly compensated for their work. “In theory” unions are democratic organizations, resulting in varying inner authority. Workers look for security within a job a...
To conclude this analysis on the basis of the labor’s extensive history, Sloane & Witney (2010) propose, “it is entirely possible that labor’s remarkable staying power has been because of the simple fact that to many workers, from the nineteenth century to the present, there really has been no acceptable substitute for collective bargaining as a means of maintaining and improving employment conditions” (p.80). In the end, it is important to anticipate unions and employers presently work together to find solutions that will enhance collective bargaining strategies and practices to serve the interest of both parties.
Providing employees the right to select a union to act as their collective bargaining agent.
Labor unions were established as a way for workers’ needs and grievances to be heard by management. According to Fossum (2012), “forming a union creates a collective voice to influence change at work” (p. 7). The collective voice of workers in a union holds much more power than any single employee’s voice. It can loudly draw attention to mistreatment or abuse of workers. The organized collective voice of workers demands to be treated in a fair way by its management in terms of wages, hours, benefits, and working conditions.
The disadvantages of union membership are viewed from the employee and employer perspective. Through the employee lens, the disadvantages manifest in the form of fees, loss of autonomy, and less collaborative work environment. As part of the union, you surrender many of your individual rights in exchange for the organized results that can potentially manifest through the collective bargaining process. Therefore, there isn’t any assurance that your individual concern will even be addressed.
Throughout American history, labor unions have served to facilitate mediation between workers and employers. Workers seek to negotiate with employers for more control over their labor and its fruits. “A labor union can best be defined as an organization that exists for the purpose of representing its members to their employers regarding wages and terms and conditions of employment” (Hunter). Labor unions’ principal objectives are to increase wages, shorten work days, achieve greater benefits, and improve working conditions. Despite these goals, the early years of union formation were characterized by difficulties (Hunter).
From the employees perspective there are many benefits as well as cons which are encompassed in the act of joining a union and maintaining such a relationship. The first of the benefits includes a somewhat increased amount of job security. In the case of a slip up, or an instance in which you may be dismissed or receive discipline, the union you are a party to will have the last say in whether this action is fair to you. This may protect you from unreasonable managers or some types of discrimination (Saez). However many types of discrimination is also covered by anti-discrimination statutes. One of the most commonly given reasons for being part of a union is the appeal of having a common bond between employees (Reader). Unions also promote a healthy, safe and friendly work environment. However this benefit is minor and redundant as much of OSHA covers this as well. Additionally, unions will bargain a contract for its members, which will generally be based upon the way that the union perceives the needs of its members (Saez). The problem with this is that it is extremely difficult for the union’s perception an employee’s individual needs to be accurate due to the union’s tendency to only. Among the items negotiated, wage is one of the most important. However minimal wage incre...
CBA  Collective Bargaining Agreements A collective bargaining agreement collectively sets the terms on which an employer offers individual work contracts to each of its employees in the bargaining unit. A bargaining agreement, also herein referred to as a labour agreement, is a legally enforceable written commitment, which states the rights and duties of all parties involved. The labour agreement should be made in good faith and is intended to be observed and not violated. The National Labour Relations Act obligates employers and unions to bargain in good faith concerning terms and conditions of employment, including hours and wages. Like any normal contract, competent parties must enter into a labour agreement.
Employers respond to unions in a negative way and discourage employees from joining unions as unions fight for extra pay, extra work hours and additional benefits for employees. Many employers ignore employee’s interest in joining a union as they believe that trade union have to play their role effectively as there are rising pressure on employers to deteriorate collective bargaining on wages, working conditions and job security. The tactics of employers has a significant impact on the choices made by unions. The relationship between the employers and unions is built on the power imbalance in the workplace. A union is formed for the purpose to negotiate with an employer or employees over working conditions, wages, and the term and condition
Collective bargaining is the process in which employers and unions undergo a series of negotiations that include terms and typical of collective bargaining where both parties concur to conditions of employment. These conditions may include wages, hours, and working conditions (Budd 229).
Traditional literature in the field of labor relations has focused immensely on its benefit towards the employer and in the process equating it to working rules. This has been so despite the field being expected to cover the process of, labor management, union formation, and collective bargain; all which are anticipated to create a positive employer-employee relationship. This relationship is said to be positive if there exist a balance between employment functions and the rights of the laborer. Also important to note, is that this relation is equally important to the public sector as it is to the private one. Therefore, to ensure a mutually conducive labor environment exists, effective labor management process and inclusive negotiation program should be adopted (Mulve 2006; Walton, 2008).
The institution of collective bargaining distinguishes between rights and freedoms associated with it, namely: the freedom to bargain collectively; the right to use collective power; and a duty to bargain (Grogan,