This week’s material: The reason some employees join unions is because they are unhappy with aspects of their job or they believe it is the only way to make changes for themselves in the industry they work in. Some believe it is to help to stop management from making sudden decisions that may affect them. Employers can be resistant to unions as they tend to make better money and benefits than those who do not. This can create tension between workers and put pressure on employers to raise wages and to offer better benefits. It essentially creates competition in the industry that can be hard for employers to compete against
Research: Unions have been known to promote better working conditions, help to increase pay when it is necessary, and promote equality for workers in the industry. Research has shown that unions reduce turnover rates, along with an increase in the amount of productivity that is provided by the workers. While being apart of the union comes with these benefits it also comes with its dues, and I literally mean dues. When being apart of a union, part of your pay goes back to the union to help pay union leaders along with workers who go on strike. Additionally, when working for a union you must abide by union rules which may bring restrictions based on job specifics.
Conclusion: Much like anything that gives us benefits in this life, it comes with a price. The question we must ask ourselves when deciding on whether to join a union is do the benefits out way the cost. I would personally say that it is job dependent. For employees who are paid on an hourly basis and work in the trades, a union is a great option. It helps them maintain constant work and ensures they are receiving proper compensation. An employee who makes a salary would not benefit much from being a part of the union because it would not add extra benefits to the already received benefits from the company.
Sources:
Week 10 – Learning Materials: HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (MGMT_453_X400_S2025)
The pros and cons of America’s labor unions | The Week
Understanding the Pros and Cons of Labor Unions
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