Unions In The Workplace

Workers formed unions so that they could have some say over wages, hours, working conditions, and the many other problems that arise in the relationship between a worker and employer. Unions are important because they help set the standards for education, skill levels, wages, working conditions, and quality of life for workers. Union-negotiated wages and benefits are generally superior to what non-union workers receive (http://www.iuoe.org).
Unions over the past 100 years have been shrinking and on a decline in terms of member and power. Unions are still very important in industries like auto, trades, education and politics. Today, only about one out of every eight American workers belongs to a union. And if you don't count government employees
that figure drops even lower, to about one in twelve.
Unions are formed to help protect employees in the workplace to ensure fair treatment against their employer. There are several steps that will need to be taken by employees before they can organize a successful union. You should start with small private meetings with a few co-workers to talk about many of the issues that employees are having and if it would be beneficial to create a union. If the small group votes that it would beneficial to all employees to create a union they can get started.
Step 1: Build an organizing committee: Your first step will be to identify leaders to represent all your departments and shifts.
By doing this you will be able to have one point of contact that will be able to report back to the top. These leaders must be willing to work hard and educate themselves so they can pass on the information to their co-workers so that they can fully understand what is going on. During the first step it’s very important to gain basic information containing the workplace structure as well as employee information such as names, address, phone numbers, job titles and departments for each worker.
Step 2: Adopt a program about workplace issues: The committee at this point would need to create a program that lists the demands of the union and what improvements they will want to be made. This plan should highlight issues in the workplace that need to be corrected.
Step 3: Sign-Up Majority on Union Cards: In this step you will need to try and sign up as many membership cards as possible to join the union. The more employees you get to sign up the stronger the union will look in being
developed.
Step 4: Win the Union Election: Now that you have signed cards from possible members take the signed cards and petition the state and federal board to hold an official election.
The election process can be a lengthy process so you will need to stay patient and positive during the wait. While you are waiting for the state and federal decision to be made, this is a good time to continue having meeting on how you plan to fight the employer’s anti-union campaign.
Step 5: Negotiate a contract: The last step after an election victory is to get your employer to agree to a union contract. This will take some negotiating on both sides for an agreed union contract signed by the employer covering everything from wages to how disputes will be handled. Employees should be ready to stand together and demand their request be met from the employer.
The government over time has put tighter restrictions on business practices that have put unions under the microscope. Congress established the National Labor Relations Act in 1935 that protected workers’ rights to form a union. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) led the way for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to be formed as the governing body to oversee union’s activities and
grievances.