Employees In A Works Council

Labor unions represent workers interests and the collective bargaining process provides a way to manage the conflict (Noe, 2003). More than ever, union employees have come to see unionizing as a way to achieve an

“It is the refusal of employers to grant such reasonable conditions and to deal with their employees through collective bargaining that leads to widespread labor unrest. The strikes which have broken out… especially in the automobile industry, are due to such “employee trouble.” (Document G)

When speaking of unfair labor practices, it is imperative to note that, according to the provisions of the National Labor Relations Act, they include any attempts of an employer to prevent employees from organizing or creating their unions, restrain or interfere with their rights to support the existing union, affect their intentions and perceptions of union activities, threatening an employee with firing them or taking away their benefits predetermined by their competence if they choose to support the union (Legal Information Institute, n.d.; Noe et al.,

Because of the demand of wanting a safer working condition, shorter work week, increase in pay and recognition as a union

(1) Require the National Work Relations Board ("NLRB") guarantee a union based upon a dominant part card check (rather than ensuring a union strictly when it gets a lion 's share of worker votes in a mystery poll decision);

Because of that, sometimes a union is unable to represent workers because it did not get the numbers, or another union vying for the same employees may have the numbers of the majority of employees, leaving a large number of the minority without representation. Employees who thus lose, and fail to form a union have no legal recourse as labour laws do not say anything about uncertified associations. The employer may refuse to bargain with them, or may involve itself in the association’s activities meaning that the employer would still have the decision making power in what the employees do. (Barnetson, 2012, p. Section

Being part of a union gives members the benefit of negotiating with their employer collectively, as part of a group; giving them more power than if they were to negotiate as individuals (Silverman, n.d.). Overall, unions demand fairness which can lead to the unions influencing and changing ‘managerial decision-making at the workplace level’ for decisions in which employees are affected (Verma 2005). Unions are also beneficial to have present in the workplace because their bargaining of better condition will often benefit non-members as the conditions negotiated with management are implemented across the organization with no regard to membership status. Management is also able to avoid union disagreement by benchmarking conditions to that of an already unionized workplace.

During 2011 employer associations in Australia conducted an active lobbying campaign to introduce legislative changes with respect to industrial relations. Predominantly they were seeking to diminish the power of collective bargaining and increase managerial control under the

From this perspective, trade union is perceived not necessary and the role of it is creating conflict, and it is seen an unwelcome intrusion into the organization from outside competing with management for the loyalty of employees (Rose, 2004). Trade unions exist either as the result of wickedness or perverseness of individual employees, or because of a failure of management to anticipate and incorporate worker needs and concerns (Bray, Deery, Walsh and Waring, 2005).

Opposition from Unions in different subsidiaries against the layoff could cause serious problems like high severance package and possible strikes

History shows that there has been conflict of power within the workforce between union and management. This essay will discuss if management should have the right to determine whether a union should operate within their workplace. It is necessary first to discuss the roles of unions and management in the workplace and discuss both points of view on the power distribution between unions and management in the workplace.

The company needs to get the employees on board and support them. The staff do not seem to think the company has their best needs on board and are looking to join the Unite trade union, which the company does not recognise. Trade Unions are not there just to protect their members in matters against their

“Collective voice achieves what a lone voice could never do”. Collective representation is also the foundation of a partnership relationship between employers, employees and unions that bring positive benefits for the business (Prosser, 2001).

Besides, power imbalance between employer and employee in the workplace seems to be unavoidable. As noted by Wilkinson et al. (2014), employees are citizens who have the right to be informed and consulted; therefore, the aim of employee voice is to communicate with management and express employees’ concerns about their work situation. Nevertheless, in recent years, decreasing union density has gradually shifted the form of voice in most organisations and countries from collective and unionized channels to direct and individualized mechanisms (Wilkinson et al., 2014).

In this paper we will talk about some important qualities a leader can have that will make them ideal for dealing with these kind of situations. We will also discuss some strategies and mitigation efforts that the upper leadership of both the Union and the Corporation can utilize for fair and equal consideration.