Week 10 Blog

According to the lecture, the definition of a union is an association of workers that promotes issues to employees, such as wages, working conditions, and hours, through a collective action. Historically, this has been crucial to workers in American society specifically to benefit them overall. The Economic Policy Institute states that these collective unions are not just beneficial to individual workers, but overall have a positive impact on communities, and collaborative demographic involvement. (EPI, 2023)

Wage benefits are not the only pro to unions. They also help improve the workplace conditions overall. The association promotes healthier, and safer working conditions. This reduces workplace injury, and overall better well-being of the employee. My claims are backed up by the EPI saying that this sense of security brings a stable workforce, which improves productivity, and also reduces turnover. (EPI, 2023)

The downside to being in a Union comes with potential cause of conflict between managers and employees. This is the first thing that comes to mind because I could imagine a supervisor finding out about the start of a union within the company, and there being unethical risks being taken within the company mission and morale. The EPI also states that joining a union as a new member of a company could disrupt the promotion of the employee individually, and simultaneously harm business operations by creating a larger gap between the in-group and the out-group in a work environment. (EPI, 2023)

Depending on my personal seniority and experience with the employees and the organization, I would consider joining a Union. If I were a tax preparer at H&R Block, I would join a Union. For better wages, flexibility of time, and less competition between colleagues. 

Reference:

1. Economic Policy Institute (2023) https://www.epi.org/publication/unions-arent-just-good-for-workers-they-also-benefit-communities-and-democracy/
2. Lecture 1-2 (Labor Relations)