Labor Unions

A labor union represents the collective interests of workers, bargaining with employers over such concerns as wages and working conditions. Labor unions are specific to industries and work like a democracy. There are multiple pros and cons to labor unions. The pros of labor unions include increasing pay and benefits for workers and setting up formal processes for disputes and complaints. Labor unions allow for a collective effort of individuals with similar job positions to push for more compensation and benefits. The labor unions also provide a platform for employees to raise grievances and have their voice heard. The cons of labor unions are that some may require dues and fees that some workers may not want to pay and they can also create a rift between labor and management groups. Some workplaces require workers to pay union fees if they want to work the job even if they do not believe in what the union stands for. In some cases, employees are required to pay the unions dues even if they have practical or ideological objections to the union. Unions can create tension between labor and management because management has to pay higher wages for labor due to the unions. Aside from the negatives, when it comes to society, labor unions can create standards that extend to the rest of the economy. What I have learned in this week’s learning materials does not contrast much with what I have found in the research that I have done. In both instances, the major takeaways and themes are generally the same in that the Unions are an organization of workers who work to protect their rights and interests. Personally, I would want to join a union because I want to be part of a group that has similar interests and goals in mind of improving the overall quality of life in the certain profession that I choose. 

Works Cited:

Josephson, A. (2018, May 21). The pros and cons of unions. SmartAsset. https://smartasset.com/career/the-pros-and-cons-of-unions.