A discussion on the benefits and drawbacks of labor unions
When utilized properly a labor union can be a pivotal success tool to employees who are experiencing some form of negative repercussion in their field. Whether it be workplace conditions, pay, benefits, or other important things in the wellbeing of an employee, unions help to ensure that these rights are protected. A union operates under specific principles that if not met result in a joined effort to halt work and production until upper management makes decisions to solve the problems at hand. Depending on the union and which position you hold there are benefits and negatives to both.
The primary benefit for being a part of a union is leverage for low level non-management positions. Many of these roles are important to be filled as they are the ones physically doing the work, they are essentially executing the orders of managers appointed over them. If their instructions are cruel, they aren’t receiving proper conditions or pay, or other negatively affiliated reasons occur a union can halt work as a team and management is almost forced to comply otherwise there will be no revenue on account of the lack of production.
Some of the negatives that come with being a part of a union are tension among members, slower promotion progression, chances of replacement as well as many other circumstances that come with being a part of a union. Seniority is heavily recognized in unions which means if you are new to one and the senior member is very controlling then not only are you dealing with upper management problems, but you now feel as though you are lacking recognition within the union itself.
Unions won’t be going anywhere any time soon they are incredibly important in some fields. As far as whether or not I would join one depends on the hypothetical industry but likely I would lean toward no due to the potential risk of no progression in a field.
Leave a Reply