What I learned in the lecture materials this week mainly talk about what a union is, how they’re formed, what has happened throughout history, and the processes within them. We also discussed how employees or employers support or resist unions. The research that I found discussed similar ideas but spent time depicting pros and cons of unions while the lecture materials informed me about them.
One of the key takeaways from unions is that they give employees more bargaining power with employers. They can negotiate as a group, workers can get better pay, benefits, and protection. Though unions can sometimes create conflict with management and reduce how things are determined in the workplace.
I feel like joining a union depends on the environment that you are in. How long has it been established or who is currently working in it? It’s important to consider if the employees are being treated fairly or don’t have much influence over wages and working conditions. I think that a union is a great idea but in a well managed company it wouldn’t be necessary especially for the work I will be doing.
Again, I wouldn’t say that I wouldn’t consider joining one but if I didn’t I would consider joining a union or supporting one if the workers were dealing in an unsafe working environment, unfair pay, poor management, etc. I think that if employees are constantly recognizing issues that are being ignored or unaddressed, then yes, forming a union could help ensure that the voices are heard within the company.
Helpful Professor. “20 Pros and Cons of Labor Unions.” Helpful Professor, https://helpfulprofessor.com/pros-and-cons-of-unions/. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.