Labor Unions

• Chris The Grad
• 0 Comments
• November 11, 2023

 

By: Chris The Graduate 

There are a number of industries in the United States that tend to take shortcuts in order to increase the amount of sales and money they make. As a result, their own employees suffer from a lack of attention when there is a problem in the workplace, which negatively affects their own morale and productivity.

Employees who are not paid attention to while working may experience burnout, depression, and anxiety. Employers who take shortcuts can also cause a lack of safety for employees, inadequate wages, and long hours, which ultimately leads to employee dissatisfaction and turnover.

However, if employees come together to talk about these workplace problems at their company, then a union may be able to come together and improve the workplace conditions at the company. There are many ways in which a labor union can benefit its members, and this is one of them. There are several benefits to being a member of a labor union, but what are the true benefits?

Labor union history started in 1866 in Baltimore, Maryland where workers fought to mandate an 8-hour work day. Since then, labor unions have secured a wide variety of rights and benefits for their members, such as better wages, health and retirement benefits, and improved working conditions. They also provide a unified voice in collective bargaining and negotiations with employers.

Unions have also been instrumental in ensuring workers’ rights are respected and companies adhere to labor laws. Additionally, they have been key to fighting for social and economic justice. They advocate for safe and humane working conditions and ensure workers are treated fairly. For instance, in 2019, the United Steelworkers Union negotiated a $3.9 billion settlement with the U.S. government. This was on behalf of thousands of miners exposed to toxic coal dust for decades. This was the largest settlement awarded to miners in the nation’s history. It was a major victory for the union and showed the power of collective action to bring social and economic justice. 

Anyone who works can join a labor union. The only exceptions are managers and company decision-makers. It was like a dam bursting after years of pressure being held back. It cascaded into a torrent that sweeps away years of injustice. Joining a labor union is like being part of a team – everyone plays their part to succeed. Russel Honore, a retired lieutenant general, once wrote: “Leadership means forming a team and working toward common objectives that are tied to time, metrics, and resources.”