Individuals often believe that one person cannot assert change. This belief leads people to
seek strength in numbers. People join many different types of groups in search of this kind of
power. Gun enthusiasts join the National Rifle Association, which battles for their right to “keep
and bear arms.” (NRA.org) Parents and teachers join the National Parent Teacher Association,
which serves as an advocate for children. (PTA.org) Doctors join the American Medical
Association, which puts them in touch with the resources they need to succeed in their field.
(AMA-ASSN.org) Unions offer this same sense of protection to employees. Many employees
can choose to join a labor union to protect their rights in the workplace. Employees join …show more content…
Unions also act on the
behalf of an employee who wish to lodge a formal complaint. Poor working conditions is a
common complaint expressed by employees, however substantial proof is readily available when
these complaints are valid. Unions are particularly useful when assisting employees in situations
that are harder to prove, such as claims of harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination.
Employees file grievances in these situations. Upon the filing of a grievance, the union
representative works with the employee and employer to find a suitable resolution. The union
representative can ensure that the settlement terms comply with the contract that is in place.
Employees facing wrongful termination may find themselves reinstated; with union
representation, retaliation for their complaint is less likely to occur. Knowing that they have a
champion in the union representative encourages employees to step forward and speak out
against injustice.
Unions gain members by convincing employees that they will act in their best …show more content…
(Dessler, p 459) When their own interests conflict with
the benefits of the workers, there is a chance that the people they represent will suffer. In
extreme cases, corruption runs rampant. Coombs and Cebula state that the existence of organized
crime in a union results in a disinterest in serving the members. (132) Effects in these worse case
scenarios include “reduced wages and benefits, diminished competitive business opportunities,
and increased cost for goods and services.” (135) According to their report, these types of issues
are still a big problem within the union infrastructure. Employees working within the confines of
these unions may experience more drawbacks than benefits from belonging to them.
Belonging to a union provides individuals the protection of a larger organization with the
power to change the current state of affairs. The best unions negotiate contracts that benefit their
members with higher pay and better benefits than they would find elsewhere. They also provide
protection for employees that find themselves embroiled in a grievance. Employees must
seek strength in numbers. People join many different types of groups in search of this kind of
power. Gun enthusiasts join the National Rifle Association, which battles for their right to “keep
and bear arms.” (NRA.org) Parents and teachers join the National Parent Teacher Association,
which serves as an advocate for children. (PTA.org) Doctors join the American Medical
Association, which puts them in touch with the resources they need to succeed in their field.
(AMA-ASSN.org) Unions offer this same sense of protection to employees. Many employees
can choose to join a labor union to protect their rights in the workplace. Employees join …show more content…
Unions also act on the
behalf of an employee who wish to lodge a formal complaint. Poor working conditions is a
common complaint expressed by employees, however substantial proof is readily available when
these complaints are valid. Unions are particularly useful when assisting employees in situations
that are harder to prove, such as claims of harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination.
Employees file grievances in these situations. Upon the filing of a grievance, the union
representative works with the employee and employer to find a suitable resolution. The union
representative can ensure that the settlement terms comply with the contract that is in place.
Employees facing wrongful termination may find themselves reinstated; with union
representation, retaliation for their complaint is less likely to occur. Knowing that they have a
champion in the union representative encourages employees to step forward and speak out
against injustice.
Unions gain members by convincing employees that they will act in their best …show more content…
(Dessler, p 459) When their own interests conflict with
the benefits of the workers, there is a chance that the people they represent will suffer. In
extreme cases, corruption runs rampant. Coombs and Cebula state that the existence of organized
crime in a union results in a disinterest in serving the members. (132) Effects in these worse case
scenarios include “reduced wages and benefits, diminished competitive business opportunities,
and increased cost for goods and services.” (135) According to their report, these types of issues
are still a big problem within the union infrastructure. Employees working within the confines of
these unions may experience more drawbacks than benefits from belonging to them.
Belonging to a union provides individuals the protection of a larger organization with the
power to change the current state of affairs. The best unions negotiate contracts that benefit their
members with higher pay and better benefits than they would find elsewhere. They also provide
protection for employees that find themselves embroiled in a grievance. Employees must