Preview

Union Advantages and Disadvantages

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1776 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Union Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages and disadvantages when being in a union

The National Labor Relations Act was enacted by congress in 1935 in order to define and defend the rights of the employment relationship. The act allows employees of a company the right to form a union and have the union organization represent them through collective bargaining. Collective bargaining is the process of negotiation between both parties; Union representatives and a corporation, with the purpose of reaching an agreement for the best interests of employees and the corporation. In the negotiation process the attempt is to establish primary factors of importance which are advantages the union fights for and ultimately provide for its stakeholders that would otherwise not have if there were no union representation. Advantages include job security, higher wages, affordable healthcare coverage and specialized job duties. However, there are disadvantages associated with labor unions along with their benefits such as strikes, loss of individuality and union dues.

Secure Job
In a competitive global economy where there are layoffs and job loss the union difference is job security. Unions are often able to make sure that the hard working and experienced employees are protected against unjustifiable causes. When the company decides to improve technology and bring new machinery as a form of making more production the union prevents technology from replacing the worker. If the worker is punished, suspended or terminated without just cause, representatives from the union and lawyers will go investigate and defend your position. If unfair corrective action is found against employee union has the right of reversing such action by removing unfair discipline, or if fired unjustly having his/her job back.
Job security is an advantage in a unionized workplace vs a non union workplace because when a union is involved they give you voice to participate in having an influence withing the decisions being made for the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Employer may feel useless during the establishment of union but there are things that they can do to minimize a union from forming within their organization.…

    • 533 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    In this paper we will learn what the role of management in an organization is and what the role of the union is in an organization and what similarities they have. It will also show two different types of strategies/actions that an organization can implement that will create and maintain a conducive and working relationship with the union. This paper will also show two strategies or actions that a union can implement to create and maintain a conducive and working relationship with management in an organization. These are all things that help to make the union strong and useful to employees and management.…

    • 1338 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    There is a long ongoing battle that is being waged between unions and business since the rise of large corporations. Unions were created to fight higher official corruption and to protect workers from unfavorable conditions and unfair treatment by top-level officials, companies take extreme measures to prevent the creation of unions within their organizations. There are positive and negative effects for both nonunion and unionized companies. Preventing workers from unionizing is a difficult task for organizations especially as they expand into the global arena. More is demanded from employees usually with little added benefits (thus the reason for unionization). A notable successful company is Trader Joe’s, who’s business strategy and cultural…

    • 860 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Kroger Co. employees enjoy the benefits of higher rates of pay. The wages for union workers are better than those of non- unionized workers (SPFPA, n.d.). Other benefits of joining a union include better health benefits and pension. Union workers are also more likely to have health benefits and pension than nonunion workers as well.…

    • 807 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Unions are very beneficial because they speak volume and it assists employees with getting their voice heard compared to if it is only one individual. An employee that is not in the union can be let go at any time, but a unionized employee has a contract that will provided a grievance and arbitration procedure in the event of an adverse employer action. Unions also able to bargaining with employers for higher wages, benefit packages, and vacation time. It also increases job stability and recognizes seniority rights for the employees.…

    • 282 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Union vs Non-Union

    • 1307 Words
    • 6 Pages

    * Stability: A union can provide a stable workplace. Employees who are members of a union typically enjoy greater job security than nonunion workers, and they often receive more beneficial compensation and marginal benefits packages. As a result, union workers might be more reluctant to leave the company to pursue other opportunities, especially to go to a nonunion environment. Greater stability means fewer turnovers for employers and a reduction in the costs associated with hiring and training new workers.…

    • 1307 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Why Are Unions Unfair

    • 715 Words
    • 3 Pages

    An advantage to being a union member is that you have an advocate to stand up for you if there has been a wrong done to you in the work place. There are generally many more safety precautions taken for the workers safety with a union than when not. A business agent will locate jobs for you in such trades as Pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, welders, or construction workers. When you work on a job and then when that job is completed they work to have another job for you to move on to. You do pay dues, which seem to be a little steep at times, but when a member passes away, there is a "death benefit" paid to the family to help with funeral expenses. He remembers that the insurance coverage was excellent also. It pays 100% for him and 75% for the…

    • 715 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Union provided my dad with a job, which is the reason my family has been able to have a better life. It has helped out have money. It has helped us have food in our table. With out my dad’s job we wouldn't be able to live the life we have right now. We wouldn't be able to purchase the things we have right now.…

    • 434 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    People in labor unions are just searching for and requesting a sense of security for themselves, and their families (“Labor Unions”). Union workers enjoy benefits such as health,…

    • 1557 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Imagine a society in which the rules of the workplace are dominated by the employers. Employers would treat their employees poorly in an attempt to maximize profits. Employees would be working in unfair conditions and have no control over their own safety and rights. This is why labor unions are so important to society. Labor Unions prioritize the rights and safeties of all workers so that employers don't treat the employees unfair.…

    • 495 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Your Decide Activity

    • 1461 Words
    • 5 Pages

    A union is used to improve the pay conditions and hours of the employees. The employers would select others to represent them to the employers to talk to them on their behalf.…

    • 1461 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Labor unions are dissociation of workers that seeks to improve the economic and social well-being of its members through group action. A labor union represents his members in negotiations with the employer over all aspects of an employment contract, including wages and working conditions. These contract negotiations are known as collective-bargaining. By giving workers a united voice a unique and often negotiate higher wages, shorter hours, and better fringe benefits, such as insurance and pension plans, then the individual workers can negotiate on their own. When the employer and you cannot reach an agreement through the collective bargaining process you may conduct a strike, which is an organized work stoppage. Or an employer may prevent…

    • 1246 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    A union is an organized group of workers who collectively use their strength to have a voice in their workplace. Through a union, workers have a right to impact wages, work hours, benefits, workplace health and safety, job training and other work-related issues. Under U.S. law, workers of all ages have the right to join a union. Having support from the union to ensure fairness and respect in the workplace is one of the key reasons workers organize.…

    • 2167 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Labor Unions In Canada

    • 1540 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The workforce was once a very undesirable and rather dangerous environment. Things such as negotiations, safety laws, job security, and a consistent 8-hour workday did not exist. However, since the Industrial Revolution, the work force began to see significant improvements as to how the workforce functioned all thanks to the foundation of something called unions. What is a union? It is an organized association of workers formed to protect and further their rights and interests. These rights include working conditions, better wages, and security in the workforce. In the beginning, most unions were developed in manufacturing and resource companies such as steel mills, textile factories and mines. Eventually, however, unions began to expand into…

    • 1540 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Labor Unions in America

    • 760 Words
    • 4 Pages

    After researching the history and analyzing the current state of labor unions, my personal opinion is that the current role of unions in the United States should not be increased. Labor unions are costly and can lead to higher product prices and less competitive situations for some companies. This affects the consumer and can eventually hurt the economy. Less people will demand products and can lead to company closures and employee lay-offs. This cycle is bad for business and for the American consumer as well. It becomes very difficult for some businesses to produce a profit when they have to pay higher wages, taxes, insurance and overhead costs. The labor unions also handcuff the company to hire and retain non-productive workers that normally would not be retained without the help of the unions. According to Spear (2013), “While members traditionally enjoy higher wages, that cost must be accounted for somewhere. Whether passed along to the customer as higher prices on goods or services, made up for by hiring fewer workers or limiting the wages of non-union employees, the increased cost of union workers has an effect on a company’s economics” (Labor Costs). I think it’s important for businesses to operate in a manner where they can control who they hire and retain. They can incorporate policies and regulations that dictate fair treatment of employees, offering competitive wages, receiving fair and equitable benefits and having a safe workplace. Unions can often benefit themselves just as much as the employee. They can gain political prestige, posturing and membership, rather than sincerely considering the well-being of the employee. Unions once played a pivotal part in ensuring reasonable worker conditions and pay, but today, there is much more incentive for businesses to take care of their employees and avoid government and society scrutiny as to avoid the high price…

    • 760 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays

Related Topics