There are many reasons why an employee would choose to join a union. Surprisingly, not all employees join unions because of dissatisfaction with management, pay, or benefits. In fact, on occasion, some employees join because it is the expectation. “Aside from social pressure to join a union, some workers become union members simply because the employment contract requires them to do so” (Dal, 2015). That being said, in the vast majority of cases, employees join unions because the feel that they need the extra support, security, and job protection that a union can provide. It can be very difficult to negotiate for better job benefits and rights with corporations without a strong union. Obviously, the main reason for joining is economic
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This can be very dangerous, as we have seen what happened with Enron’s employees. A third reason why an employee may join a union is for safety. This is often overlooked, but “Employees expect to work in a safe environment. They expect safety training, appropriate equipment, and clear guidelines and procedures for responding to and reporting workplace accidents” (Fisher Phillips, n.d.). Fairness is also very important, and why some employees join unions. It is not uncommon for employees to feel that they are being treated unfairly and that their concerns are not listened too. This in particularly true when it comes to discipline in the workplace that employees feel is unwarranted or unfair. “When employees feel that they have been subjected to discipline which they did not deserve, or did not expect, or that another employee got a break that they did not, union organizing may not be far off” (Fisher Phillips, n.d.). Last, seniority is reason for joining, since the seniority benefits that a union provides, will for the most part, eliminate favoritism. “A worker with a union job who has more seniority may receive preference for an open job. Seniority also can be a factor in determining who gets a …show more content…
He lists the seven reasons as money, benefits, safety, dignity, security, competence, and activism. Of all the articles referenced, this one provides the most depth and different outlook on the reasoning for joining a union. For example, competence is rarely discussed as a reason, although stating that union workers tend to be more competent is an opinion, his reasoning is thought provoking.
FisherPhillips provides reasoning for why an employee joins a union from the perspective of what not do as an employer. The topics that are discussed in this website are signs that an employer should be wary of to avoid unionization in the workplace. They list ignoring employee complaints, lack of respect, lack of concern for safety, non-competitive pay and benefits, and favoritism as the main reasons. I believe that reviewing the reasons for employees joining unions from both sides is critical to obtain a clear
This can be very dangerous, as we have seen what happened with Enron’s employees. A third reason why an employee may join a union is for safety. This is often overlooked, but “Employees expect to work in a safe environment. They expect safety training, appropriate equipment, and clear guidelines and procedures for responding to and reporting workplace accidents” (Fisher Phillips, n.d.). Fairness is also very important, and why some employees join unions. It is not uncommon for employees to feel that they are being treated unfairly and that their concerns are not listened too. This in particularly true when it comes to discipline in the workplace that employees feel is unwarranted or unfair. “When employees feel that they have been subjected to discipline which they did not deserve, or did not expect, or that another employee got a break that they did not, union organizing may not be far off” (Fisher Phillips, n.d.). Last, seniority is reason for joining, since the seniority benefits that a union provides, will for the most part, eliminate favoritism. “A worker with a union job who has more seniority may receive preference for an open job. Seniority also can be a factor in determining who gets a …show more content…
He lists the seven reasons as money, benefits, safety, dignity, security, competence, and activism. Of all the articles referenced, this one provides the most depth and different outlook on the reasoning for joining a union. For example, competence is rarely discussed as a reason, although stating that union workers tend to be more competent is an opinion, his reasoning is thought provoking.
FisherPhillips provides reasoning for why an employee joins a union from the perspective of what not do as an employer. The topics that are discussed in this website are signs that an employer should be wary of to avoid unionization in the workplace. They list ignoring employee complaints, lack of respect, lack of concern for safety, non-competitive pay and benefits, and favoritism as the main reasons. I believe that reviewing the reasons for employees joining unions from both sides is critical to obtain a clear