Labor unions are organizations of workers formed to defend and further the economic and social interests of their members. Therefore, employees join unions for economic reasons, job security, social reasons, recognition, participation, and as compulsion. Economically, employees join unions to get higher wages, improved working conditions, shorter working hours, and increased benefits.
Further, workers join unions to get job security assurance and protection against arbitrary or unfair treatment. Socially, employees, as social beings, need acceptance by their peers as well as the need to belong. As such, unions offer attractive benefits, for example, insurance for employees’ social security. However, peer pressure causes some employees to join …show more content…
Additionally, workers get union membership to have a voice in decisions that affect the workplace. However, some members join unions because the employment contract requires them to do so.
Advantages of Being a Union Member
Employees who are members of unions enjoy more job security than their non-unionized counterparts since unions make the final decisions regarding termination and disciplinary action. Further, unionized workers enjoy the benefit of filing grievances with their union representatives, who represent them to the management on behalf of the workers. Workers in unions have higher chances of enjoying better working conditions, better pay, steady raises and benefits, for instance, paid vacation time and sick leave.
Disadvantages of Being a Union Member
Being a member of a labor union puts an employee at the risk of getting involved in strikes, especially when the management and union representatives fail to reach an agreement. Getting involved in strikes can cause financial hardships to the employee. Further, the union may urge the employees to continue with the strike while some employees may be willing to return to work, which may cause them to be ostracized as scabs by their
Further, workers join unions to get job security assurance and protection against arbitrary or unfair treatment. Socially, employees, as social beings, need acceptance by their peers as well as the need to belong. As such, unions offer attractive benefits, for example, insurance for employees’ social security. However, peer pressure causes some employees to join …show more content…
Additionally, workers get union membership to have a voice in decisions that affect the workplace. However, some members join unions because the employment contract requires them to do so.
Advantages of Being a Union Member
Employees who are members of unions enjoy more job security than their non-unionized counterparts since unions make the final decisions regarding termination and disciplinary action. Further, unionized workers enjoy the benefit of filing grievances with their union representatives, who represent them to the management on behalf of the workers. Workers in unions have higher chances of enjoying better working conditions, better pay, steady raises and benefits, for instance, paid vacation time and sick leave.
Disadvantages of Being a Union Member
Being a member of a labor union puts an employee at the risk of getting involved in strikes, especially when the management and union representatives fail to reach an agreement. Getting involved in strikes can cause financial hardships to the employee. Further, the union may urge the employees to continue with the strike while some employees may be willing to return to work, which may cause them to be ostracized as scabs by their