You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Union provided my dad with a job, which is the reason my family has been able to have a better life. It has helped out have money. It has helped us have food in our table. With out my dad’s job we wouldn't be able to live the life we have right now. We wouldn't be able to purchase the things we have right now.…
- 434 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
I was raised in a union family but grew up to be a company man. I can see both sides and their opinions. I believe we need unions to keep the companies who are not union from treating their employees unfairly, regarding wages, days off, etc. There are good unions that are so effective and there are weak unions who give unions a bad name. Some companies will always treat their employees well and be fair but for those who don't, there has to be someone watching out for their rights. If those companies know that if their employees are treated unfairly, there is an organizer willing to step in and help, the company generally will step up to the plate and do the right thing. My father and uncles worked for the plumbers, electrical, and teachers…
- 715 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
First and most important reason that private-sector unions are good for U.S is that unions associated with lower employee turnover and effective workplace communication, which helped improve the productivity of industries and the economy growth in U.S. During 1945-1973, the high percentage of workers union with the effect of wages kept the productivity rising and prosperity was widely shared, which made economic growth strongly. Since 1973, union density declined, and real wage were caused to stagnate despite rising productivity, which may contributed to the current financial crisis and severe recession. According to a recent survey by Doucouliagos, Christos and…
- 2725 Words
- 11 Pages
Best Essays -
Up until about 5 years ago, I never really thought about unions, and then I needed help and my union was there for me and fought for me! So when I saw this choice on Dr. Scarcella’s list of topics, I thought it would be interesting to learn more about it. In my adult life I have held two primary jobs. My first being at Loma Linda University Medical Center, which is non-union and I heard about some really bizarre reasons to fire or let someone go. The new director did not like the secretary, although she had been working there for over 20 years. A lady wearing knickers being “let go” for not wearing nylons while another girl had a skirt on without nylons.…
- 609 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The history of the labor union is complex. In times of old the labor union has been defined as “a continuous association of wage earners for the purpose of maintaining and improving the conditions of their employment” (Peterson, 1945:1). Unions were created out of a desire for protection and advancement of the interests of human kind. In most society there tend to be gatherings of individuals that are interested in promoting common interests and the needs or desires of members. Unions are no exception.…
- 5169 Words
- 21 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Today unions have a bigger number of members because and are able to stay afloat due to venturing into other industrial sectors. Due to such diversification, unions are not able to adequately focus on a particular category of workers. This means that policy and wage setting for different categories of workers are hampered (Mello, 2015). Policies that employers should abide by and wages that should be paid to workers are not thought about sufficiently since there are many different sectors of the industry that are involved. As a result, workers end up feeling like their needs are not being adequately met by the union. The loss of attention as the union tries to cater for the needs of the different types of workers is one of the reasons why the unions have become weaker. Diversity has also made unions to lack the influence they once had on organizations. Diversification has made unions look like opportunists as opposed to legitimately wanting to fight for the rights of employees (Mello, 2015). Unions have as a result lost their much of their…
- 604 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
I come from a long line of union members. My grandfather was a union member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), my mother was a union member of the Communication Workers of America (CWA) and one day I may be a union member as well. The Union and the labor movement has always had some influence in my life since the very day I left the womb. The Union allowed my mother the time off to take care of me and make sure I was healthy and stable before leaving to go back to work. The union allowed my mother to work an 8 hour day with no forced overtime. They made sure every employer compensated for overtime. Employers could not overwork somebody with paying them their money. The only relationship I have with the union is…
- 317 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
It is a basic constitutional right – freedom of association. Workers have a right to join a union if they choose and if they choose not to then they should not be forced to still pay union dues. Although it is a fair argument that unions represent workers and promote the rights of those workers when negotiating with businesses yet it also an unquestionable right that if a worker chooses not to be a union member they should not be penalized and refused employment. Another equably harmful impact of not having Right to Work laws is the effect it has on the economy. An argument can be made that unions make some industries less competitive on the global level. Although this may not be a very good cause for the workers it does make U.S. products more expensive due to higher labor costs thus giving U.S. companies a disadvantage within the international business economy. At the end of the day this also will have a negative impact on workers because if profits decrease businesses will lower production and its labor needs will subsequently…
- 784 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
After researching the history and analyzing the current state of labor unions, my personal opinion is that the current role of unions in the United States should not be increased. Labor unions are costly and can lead to higher product prices and less competitive situations for some companies. This affects the consumer and can eventually hurt the economy. Less people will demand products and can lead to company closures and employee lay-offs. This cycle is bad for business and for the American consumer as well. It becomes very difficult for some businesses to produce a profit when they have to pay higher wages, taxes, insurance and overhead costs. The labor unions also handcuff the company to hire and retain non-productive workers that normally would not be retained without the help of the unions. According to Spear (2013), “While members traditionally enjoy higher wages, that cost must be accounted for somewhere. Whether passed along to the customer as higher prices on goods or services, made up for by hiring fewer workers or limiting the wages of non-union employees, the increased cost of union workers has an effect on a company’s economics” (Labor Costs). I think it’s important for businesses to operate in a manner where they can control who they hire and retain. They can incorporate policies and regulations that dictate fair treatment of employees, offering competitive wages, receiving fair and equitable benefits and having a safe workplace. Unions can often benefit themselves just as much as the employee. They can gain political prestige, posturing and membership, rather than sincerely considering the well-being of the employee. Unions once played a pivotal part in ensuring reasonable worker conditions and pay, but today, there is much more incentive for businesses to take care of their employees and avoid government and society scrutiny as to avoid the high price…
- 760 Words
- 4 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Organized labor affects the lives of many citizens everyday, often in a roundabout way. Labor Unions affect many different people from blue-collar workers to white-collar workers, stay-at-home moms, students, and retirees. Fewer; however realize the legal role Labor Unions have played and continue to play in the financial system, political affairs, and society in general. In today's society, more of our skilled hourly and unskilled workers belong to some sort of Labor Union and that is a good sign that Unions will not face extinction. As long as there is a need for higher wages, there will be a need for Unions.…
- 2222 Words
- 9 Pages
Powerful Essays -
The power of unionization in many sectors was very beneficial to the middle class, and the decline of unions has hurt the middle class. The collective bargaining power of unions was able to secure higher wages and greater benefits for workers. Unions made originally lower class workers into middle class workers, and were largely responsible for the growth of the middle class. With decreasing unionization, the collective bargaining power of workers has decreased, and it is harder to prevent and change problems like wage stagnation (Perez). Without unions, it is harder for the middle class worker to stay in the middle class, and he/she can end up falling out of the middle class workforce and being replaced by a cheaper, temporary…
- 923 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The labor market has evolved and labor unions are becoming less and less relevant in today's economy. In case you get into trouble with management you can always go to human resources or to the government for assistance. No one should be forced to join a union. According to the reading of Labor Relations, “The opening section of the Norris-LaGuardia Act established that government recognized that the job is more important to a worker than a worker is to a corporation.” Joining a union is a personal decision. Good companies and certain industries are never unionized. A good company will take care of their employees because it is the right thing to do. There is no need to create a fight and everyone can discuss issues and cooperate. When a company decides that it's their money and therefore their way or else, then workers need a little help from each other. Joining the union, the pay would only increase to cover the cost of the dues. There would be no more "open door policies and all issues would have to go through your union representative. In my opinion, if I don't think my job is treating me well, I have the ability to negotiate myself and leave for another job if necessary. Keeping in mind though that your employer can still terminate you for other reasons if you are an at will employee. For example, you don't have an employment contract, and your position…
- 576 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
President John F. Kennedy once said, “The American Labor Movement has consistently demonstrated its devotion to the public interest. It is, and has been, good for all Americans.” Organized labor has a goal of helping workers get what they deserve in all aspects of their jobs such as salary, benefits, hours, working conditions, and so on. There are many criticisms of unionization but with the economy in the depressed state it is in now, it is important to identify ways to help stimulate its growth and unions will do just that. Essentially, labor unions are beneficial to the American economy because they strengthen the middle class and increase productivity.…
- 2821 Words
- 12 Pages
Best Essays -
In discussions of labor exploitation, one controversial issue has been the lack of unionization in the workforce. Schlosser would argue that corporations will go to any lengths to prevent their workers from unionizing, in order to isolate and therefore disempower them. However, many corporations would insist that higher concentrations of unionized employees would slow down the rate of production and result in higher cost for consumers. My own view is that a union is a positive thing employees should have, based on my research and experience with the fact that my father worked as president of I.U.P.P.E local 2 union. I watched how he negotiated hardcore to protect employees, worked long hours to help those…
- 836 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The difference that employers and workers face concerning employment have been approached by some with unions. A labor union is defined as an organized association of workers formed to protect and further their rights and interest. As stated, millennials are now the largest generation in the work force. The personality of millennials is confident, self-expressive, and team oriented. With this generation they are always switching jobs, a main reason for that is that they are not satisfied with the benefits, treatment and the lack of respect that the workplace offers. For this reason, me being a millennial, I believe that there should be unions. As a college student, the main thing that I am worried about is getting a job, and a well-paying one at that.…
- 324 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays