Question

Subject: The Future Of Jobs

Help: Unions are helpful for an organization because employees who are in unions have higher productivity levels, which is beneficial to the company. With higher salaries, union workers have more buying power which is beneficial to the economy. Labor unions can help employees obtain better wages, benefits and working conditions. By creating a collective bargaining group, the union creates strength in numbers. The union representatives then negotiate contract terms with the employer in hopes of obtaining the best possible outcome for their members. This can include wage increases, paid benefits and improved working conditions. Companies could benefit from better morale and reduced turnover, partially since union employees typically earn better wages than non-union workers. Some unions provide training and therefore assist in providing a qualified talent pool. Organizations can also benefit from the time savings that comes from negotiating one contract with the union rather than having to negotiate with each individual employee. Unions can help the economy by moving workers into higher wages which then help to create additional spending and contributions to the economy.

Hurt: Individuals against Labor Unions would argue that it discourages individuality. I have a friend that recently told me about his experience at his job. As a quick background, he works as a public safety officer, and there is a union that is offered at his workplace. For the longest time he would decline the offers because he does not plan to be at the job for long, he does not agree with the union fees, and he is not a fan of the politics that come along with it. It was not until recently that he was persuaded to join after discussing the idea that his job is not protected and he could be let go at will. At the time he was explaining this situation to me, it felt that he was forced into the decision. Plus the fees and politics associated with each labor union can honestly take a toll on one’s income and sanity.

Required: Discuss the following:

1. How do labor unions help employees? Organizations? The economy? Write 200 words.

2. How do labor unions hurt employees? Organizations? The economy? Write 200 words.

Please don't copy from anywhere. Write in your own words and write appropriate answers according to above information. Thank You!

Answer 1

1) Advantages of Labour Unions

To Employees:

• Help achieve better pay and benefits
• Families of union workers receive better benefits
• Help channelize employee demands to management more effectively
• Gives a sense of belongingness and security to employees at work.
• Ensures better safety measures
• Provide strong voice to employees.

To Organization:

• Single point-of-contact for entire set of employees
• Communication streamlined
• Negotiation and dealing to be done with single individual i.e. the union leader
• Collaborative discussion

To Economy:

• Increased wages helps improve the buying capacity of individuals, thereby improving economy

2) Disadvantages of Labor unions

To Employees:

• Short-term employees such as casual workers may not be benefited from the union
• The employees have to support the union decision whether they agree to it or not.
• Sometimes, certain personal requests may go unheard
• Employees have to pay some initiation fees
• Employees may be promoted on basis of experience alone and higher qualification may be ignored
• There is no individuality

To Organization:

• The demands of the union can be difficult to negotiate
• Labor unions have caused lot of political violence in the organization
• Many companies have been closed due to the rift between the labor unions and management/owners
• Organizations may have to pay heavy prices for meeting the demands of labor.
• Often these labor unions are driven by political parties and their associates. They cause damage to the company reputation.
• Work is affected and productivity of the company suffer in case of union strikes

Economy:

• Non-harmonious relation between the employers/top management and the union can cause the company to shutdown
• This will inturn cause loss of employment and the economy will come to standstill or worst, decline.
• Often owners, relocate their factories to other locations where there is not union interference. Hence the former location workers loose jobs.