Why Do Labor Unions Matter? Essay

The history of unions in the US is based on a time line that represents workers struggling to organize unions. In the United States, the history of unions played an important part in the independence process for trade unions and everyday workers. Labor unions have played a tremendous part in molding the workforce as we know it since the passing of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) in 1935. However, not long ago, collective bargaining and unions opened the eyes of many Americans by negotiating with management about working conditions and pay wages. Whether they are still perceived as important today is still a major question. As noted in the text, union favorability ratings have declined from 35% to 7% over a thirty-year span. A questionnaire was distributed to a non-random sample (N = 50) to ascertain their attitudes and perceptions on labor unions. Sixty-seven percent of respondents believe that unions should be in every state with 60% of those in a non- Right to Work

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.

Labor Unions have had an effect of American history as well as world-wide history from the time they became popular. Following WWII Americans were predominantly pro-labor, however, as time went on union’s credibility fell short of perfect. Union strikes proved to be bothersome to both the general public and company. Unions were also suppressing to employees through fraud and lack of worker rights (in earlier years, before Acts were passed). Although Union labor had its shortcomings, this type of labor is noted to be the most productive and economically beneficial. With both sides shown, I feel Unions will again thrive in the future with a few key adjustments made.

Labor unions have existed in one form or another in the United States since the birth of the country. They were created in an effort to protect the working population from abuses such as sweatshops and unsafe working conditions. On the other hand, they have also been accused of crippling industries and consorting with organized crime over the decades. But in one way or another, labor unions have been

In an ironic twist of fate, the successes that unions had for workers rights, have contributed to their own demise. However, there are proponent’s who believe that unions are still needed in today. Pamela Prah quoted Robert Korstad, a history professor at Duke University who specializes in labor said, “Workers need unions today as much as they ever have, most workers want full-time jobs with health care, retirement and other benefits, but in today’s economy workers can often only find part-time work without benefits… Just for financial reasons alone, there are lots of arguments in support of unions” (713). Therefore, workers need to have a catalyst [unions] that will fight for its member’s rights.

Labor unions have been around ever since the industrial revolution in Europe when working conditions in factories were very low. The concepts introduced in this time by the labor unions have become ingrained in our culture here in America. While workers benefit when they join a union by being able to fight for higher wages and better working conditions, these benefits that the unions get often “come at the expense of consumers, nonunion workers, the jobless, taxpayers, and owners of corporations” (Reynolds). Unions, while once playing a very beneficial role in history, are no longer all that necessary and may even be hurting all those outside of the union workers that they help.

Since the 1980’s trade union membership numbers have declined rapidly ( Balnave et al, 2007, pg 130). Once upon a time it was quiet important for employees to be part of a union as it entitled them to have a collective voice, and power to build a pleasurable workplace. There have been many factors that have contributed to

Working is a necessity for life. Everyone has to work in some way to get money so they can live. With work being such a universal thing, there are bound to be some issues with it. Unions have come into question about whether they are necessary or not. In my opinion, unions should stay a part of the workplace. They tend to bring workers together to make their lives better at work. Unions have many ways to get what they want from companies, and negotiating is the most common practice. The main functions of unions are to help organize workers and bargain. With organization, workers can fight for better wages, hours, and conditions.

Today labor unions are not as popular due to the “right to work” movement. This law prohibits any worker from being a part of a labor union or pay dues; many states have jumped on board for this movement. One of those states being Florida, there are calls in government for a national right to work law. This law does not ban unions but it does help the economy. Many argue that businesses grow in states that invoke right to work laws since they will not require businesses to follow special laws for workers in unions. The right to work movement has helped undermine the power of union workers. Jennifer Schaubach for the Minnesota AFL-CIO states on her website that “…employees who are basically under union contracts will receive 28 percent more in wages and benefits than workers that are not in unions” (Schaubach). Union members are of course outraged that their jobs are not guaranteed anymore in right to work states. Union workers argue that the right to work laws undermine the procedure to fire a worker for a legitimate

- They created the union because of poor working conditions. Employees were forced to work long days in unsafe working conditions. That’s what they saw out to change. Employees thought that if they band together and form a union, they would have some leverage with management to enact the changes that they want: shorter work days and less hazard at the workplace so it could be safer. And along with that came somehow higher wages as well and other benefits.

Unions emphasize the need to create and maintain solidarity among members of the working class to effectively assert power in the workplace. They favor greater equality in pay across employees and greater worker control of the work environment. Unions also stress the importance of continual improvements in living standards for their members, best attainable through increases in their pay (Fossum, J, (n.d.), p. 2).

The more powerful the labor union is, the better the outcome. Yes Labor Union are indispensable because there are no other proof that the working-class; will make decent wages, have safe working conditions, or a voice on their job. By having these union can help and will continue to support the working

Since the early 1970s, unions have begun to lose both members and power. Why? One major reason is that unions were born among blue-collar workers. Now blue-collar employment is shrinking while white-collar employment is growing. Unfortunately, unions have been slow to respond to this shift in the work force, and they have suffered for it. Some experts think that America’s unions will never recover from their current

With globalization,many changes have been brought up in the workplaces that are leading towards more flexibility and enrollment of the employees (Tong Fay and Anil Verma,2002). “According to a survey -unionized workers across Canada earned$5- 28/hour more than non-union workers; Women with unions earned more too and got paid more fairly (Why unions? ,2015)”. Thus ,it gives us an idea what changes are being brought about by the unions in comparison to non-union when it comes to the wage sector. The union workplaces give a chance to the members to bargain for their benefits which includes not only social well being but also the say,the right to speak up about their own views therefore giving them the chance to talk about their problems. The union have been progressed to give a fair wage

The relationship between unions and organization is a touchy one. Dating back to the start of unionization in the 19th century, the two bodies have held opposing viewpoints. Unionization was formed from the opinion that organizations took advantage of workers and some form of a negotiating agreement was needed. There were documented events of workers working long taxing hours for insignificant pay; no healthcare coverage; dangerous working conditions; and gender and or racial discrimination. Companies believed that unionization caused less productivity which endangered profits. Companies also believed that unions interfere in daily processes, and limits the employer’s say over compensation and benefits. The