The Importance of Unions in the U.S
Unions are organizations that enhance businesses corporations, and organizations on behalf of employers and workers as union members. Trade unions like the “American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)” represents workers in a particular kind of job while industrial unions like the United Union Workers (UAW) are tasked with representing workers in particular sectors. Unions improve the working conditions and wages of union members. But how do they improve these wages? This occurs through collective bargaining. It is a process whereby the employer of an organization meets with its workers in order to discuss and negotiate the working environment. The unions often present the employees concern to the employers and consequently they decide if they are in a position to yield to the worker’s demand.
If the unions are not contented with the negotiation process, they usually instigate a strike. The effectiveness of the strike depends on the whether the strike will make the employers to grant to their demands. It is therefore imperative to realize that unions; trade unions and industrial unions have an imperative impact on the compensation of employees and improving the working conditions. They also play a relevant role in securing rights and protection such as medical leave, overtime, and health of workers. In addition union workers also benefit from programs such as insurance. Unions act as an intermediary that enhances the necessary complains in complementing protection and legislative benefits.
Why are unions important today? With the CEOs compensation skyrocketing while the unemployment rate and employee wages continue to stagger, it is imperative for unions in the U.S and globally to ensure the standard of living for employees and their families is met. These include workers to be treated fairly more than ever. The nature of jobs in the U.S is changing, with some companies still making income and jobs less secure by part-time, downsizing jobs, and even sending jobs off-shore. More than ever employees need the voice of trade unions and bargaining power to provide employees with the best working condition. Today, unions continue to play a pivotal role in the country’s work force and quality of life for employees and their families. After all, American employees with their families need a collective representation in the pride of their work and a fair treatment in their working environment.
