Unions formed as a group of workers within the same trade protect their interests by improving compensation, hours worked, and working conditions. Most unionized jobs are in public service-based industries like teachers, mechanics, police officers, janitors, writers, and factory workers, to name a few. Basically, professions requiring manual labor.
I noticed that most unionized positions are minority workers. Those who historically are quickly taken advantage of with regards to time, compensation, stress level, or any combination of these. I found it interesting that one could see the impact of the Civil War on unions. Most Confederate states have the lowest number of union memberships. In contrast, Union States have the highest. Without explicitly saying it, my research indicates that in the United States, unions protected the minority from the overreaching power of the majority.
I also spoke with a union mechanic working in a nuclear plant. He indicated that his union serves its purpose, but there are times when it is not beneficial, like when they strike. His union does not consider his personal feelings when filing a grievance. You do what the union says. The lack of work affects his ability to make money during the strike period. While he is guaranteed his job, he cannot pay his bills. He also told me that promotions are difficult someone must retire or “die” to move up. Those able to retire do not until they are physically unable to work anymore.
Advances in technology and the speed of social media have dramatically decreased the need for unions in the United States as well as other economically developed countries. In 2021, the court of public opinion will hold employers accountable for what they do to their employee’s and companies will comply due to the fear of economic loss and bad press.
I would not want to join a union. To join a union is to give others power over my career as well as my earning potential. I am the best advocate for myself. I do think that I would support a unionizing effort if I genuinely felt there was an injustice taking place against a group of people who were not able to stand up effectively or defend themselves.
References:
Bhatt, K. (2021, March 10). 12 Pros and Cons of Unions. Honest Pros and Cons. https://honestproscons.com/pros-and-cons-of-unions/
Kasperkevic, J. (2019, April 29). Why unions are so worried about right-to-work laws. Marketplace. https://www.marketplace.org/2017/02/24/push-nationwide-right-work-law-could-weaken-unions/
Livingston, A. (2021, February 18). Labor Unions in the United States – How They Work, Pros & Cons. Money Crashers. https://www.moneycrashers.com/labor-unions-united-states/
Stevenson, M. (2018, August 14). Pros and Cons of Labor Unions. HR Exchange Network. https://www.hrexchangenetwork.com/hr-compensation-benefits/articles/pros-and-cons-of-labor-unions
Table 5. Union affiliation of employed wage and salary workers by state. (2021, January 22). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/union2.t05.htm
Walters, M., & Mishel, L. (2003, August 26). How unions help all workers. Economic Policy Institute. https://www.epi.org/publication/briefingpapers_bp143/
