This case study is about the management of an organization trying to discourage their workers on the issue of forming a union. The organization, SGA Industries, is currently a non-union organization. Some of the workers are interested in starting a union; but, some of them have different opinions regarding the formation of a union. Previously the workers at SGA Industries enjoyed their working conditions and there was not a need for unionization. SGA Industries was known as the “world’s largest producer of women’s hosiery and employed approximately 6,500 people at ten plants in five communities in Georgia and South Carolina” (Nkomo, Fotler & McAfee, 2010). SGA’s sales were great. They had a good reputation in the community, and the company provided for its workers and treated them like family members. …show more content…
Some of the changes they noticed were they [(“laid off 1,500 employees, reduced employee’s pay, and decreased perks that the workers had previously enjoyed” (Nkomo, Fottler, & McAdee, 2012)]. In addition, SGA Industries changed the qualifications for labor positions which caused an increase in employee turnover. These changes prompted the workers to become interested in forming a union to address the changes in their work environment. They felt the union would advocate for their rights (Nkomo, Fottler, & McAfee, 2010). The management at SGA Industries did not agree with unionization at the company. The President of the company made several comments to coerce the employees to vote against the union. After that did not work, he wrote a letter to the workers using scare tactics. In his letter, he claimed that jobs would be lost if the union is voted in. An employer cannot use any type of scare tactics to employees if they decide to vote for a union or join a union (Unionization Procedures,
They are various employer tactics that interfere with employee’s “freedom of choice in being represented by their chosen advocates”. Unions may not try to influence management to discipline employees who did not join the union or refuse to represent employees because they are not union members. Some differences include that unions may not demand or require that an employer take action against an employer for any reason. A failure to pay union dues is an exception to this rule. Unions are also not allowed to force individuals to pay excessive initiation fees for union membership. In management, employers and unions may negotiate contract clauses requiring union membership as a condition of continued employment, also known as a union shop agreement. Also, employers may not refuse to bargain with an union over issues of pay, hours or other terms and conditions of employment. Furthermore, unions may not influence employees in the exercise of Section 7 rights. Meanwhile, in management an employer may not interfere with an employee engaging in any activity protected by Section 7. (Fossum,
The mill workers felt that they simply did not have any other options and feared the punitive steps management would take if they unionized. Indeed, this appeared to be the case. When several employees expressed a tentative interest in the union, management reduced their work days, and, consequently, their pay. The mill’s management used many other scare tactics to try and persuade employees to reject the union.
The labor relations movement has been one of the most successful driving forces behind such efforts as: providing aid to workers who were injured or retired, better health benefits and to stop the practice of child labor in the workforce. Ostensibly, unions in the United States arose out of the need to better protect the “common interests” of laborers. Today, many of the social movements and alliances forged are created under the guise to better protect the employer from a plethora of interests made against the organization, rather than, increasing wages, improving reasonable employment hours and/or enhancing work conditions.
The changes brought up labor unions in the United States over recent history has brought about a movement. This specific movement has shaped the way that employees and workers are treated in the workforce,and how they maintain their quality of life through this employment. Many people think that the labor unions’ influence has created a power struggle between management and union leaders. In many cases this can be considered true, as there have been countless feuds between management teams and labor unions, especially in recent history. In today’s times, on the one hand, some people believe the existence of unions are a necessity in order to ensure and promote employee freedom; while on the other hand some people view labor unions as just another problem in the line of employee success.
In the last 23 years, there has been a rise in non-unionized workers but a decline in the unionized workers "(See Appendix)" The biggest reason or the decline in Union membership are the businesses that are spending a great deal of time
Workers would not be able to successfully accomplish the established goals without the help of the union.
If management were to control union operation within the workplace, unions could be eradicated all together as they pose a threat to management being able to make all decisions affecting the workers using their managerial prerogative.
State Department of Labor as a direct result of pressure from organized labor (MacLaury). Shortly after the creation of the Department of Labor, the Great Recession hit the nation. With the depression came an increased unemployment and lesser wages however significant legislation was also created during that time that impacted union membership. The most significant law was the Fair Labor Standards Act. Following shortly after this FLSA, the United States amended the Equal Pay Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Occupations Health and Safety Act of 1970. Although these acts were supported by the power of unions, these acts in particular impact union membership which will be discussed later in the paper. It was at this time in the nation’s history that unions began to see a decline in membership. Unions today cast a wide umbrella of membership and consist of trade unions such as the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Laborers International Union of North America to service unions such as the United Food and Commercial Workers. Although their membership has declined, unions that were once affiliated with a defined group skilled labor employees now can be found in almost any industry representing any group of employees.
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.
A union is an organization of workers who join together in order to have a voice in improving their jobs and the quality of work within the organization. In many occasions, unions help employees of an organization negotiate pay, benefits, flexible hours and other work conditions that may arise. Unions have a role because some degree of conflict is inevitable between workers and management (Noe, 2003). In this paper, I will be discussing the impact of unions and labor relations within an organization.
The beginnings of labor unions travel as far back as the colonial era when craft workers
Just three years later, in 2011, newspapers reported huge dissatisfaction among IKEA workers in the region over multiple issues ranging from management's resistance to unionization, mandatory overtime, and low wage rates, to racism and strict working conditions. Management at the facility held meetings with workers to persuade them not to form a union. After criticism from the home country Sweden and the intervention of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, workers were able to form a union in July 2011 through a majority vote of 221-69 (New York Times).
Deal with employees by stating the company’s response to pro-unionization carefully. The responses should be written to maintain consistency to avoid threatening or promising employees (Steen, Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, & Wright, 2013, p.258).
* Trade unions can limit the flexibility of workforce. Organisations where workers are hired under an employment agreement with labour unions, the power of owners and management officials to dismiss unproductive labour without showing a cause is extremely limited.
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).