  |
|
|
|
Top Reasons to Unionize in the USLabor Unions Bring Better Wages, Benefits, and Job SecurityLabor unions leverage the collective power of their members to get concessions from businesses - in everything from pay and benefits to work conditions and job security.
In 2007, 15.7 million workers in the United States were unionized. While there are downsides to unionizing, it’s worth paying attention to the many benefits that unions bring their members. Higher WagesAcross most industries, union members earn higher wages than their non-unionized counterparts. For instance, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that mean weekly for a full-time union member in the United States in 2007 was $863, compared to $663 for regular workers. The difference is sharpest among workers in the service industry. At $666 a week, unionized employees make more than one and a half time what other service workers make. By bringing in an average of $134-$219 more than their non-unionized counterparts, unionized state and local goverment employees also win out. Better BenefitsUnion members have more benefits, with better terms, than their non-unionized counterparts. For instance, unionized workers are much more likely to receive health insurance, and pay lower premiums. On average, union members have more paid sick and vacation leave. They are also more likely to get retirement benefits, long-term care insurance, and adoption assistance from their employer. Better Working ConditionsThe labor union movement was created in no small part to address concerns over workplace safety. Unions continue to bargain for and demand safer conditions. But, beyond that, labor unions also have been successful in negotiating for fringe benefits that make working life more enjoyable – benefits such as more breaks, employee break rooms, training, and employee discounts. Increased Job SecurityMembers of labor unions generally have more job security than non-unionized workers. Most union contracts provide that a member can only be fired or laid off for just cause. Additionally, union grievance procedures give workers the opportunity to appeal if their employer does fire them. Non-unionized workers can be fired in many states for any reason at all – provided that reason is not illegal discrimination. Protected StrikesA strike can be a valuable tool for workers, but striking without union authorization (wildcat striking) is dangerous because it is not protected under the National Labor Relations Act. Wildcat strikers can be fired by the employer at will in most states. Strikers participating in a union-authorized strike also often get “strike pay” to help offset the hardship of not earning a paycheck during the strike. Non-union strikers receive no such pay, and often are ineligible to receive state unemployment benefits. This is true even of non-union workers that honor the labor union’s picket line and refuse to report to work. A Voice in How Work is DoneCollective bargaining allows workers to have a voice in the workplace. Individual employees can be ignored because that one person’s labor can be easily replaced, but when a substantial group of employees demand the same thing, employers have to listen because they cannot afford to replace them all. The voice workers gain through collective bargaining allows them to take part in decisions that will affect their work environment – from when breaks may be taken to the procedures for performing a particular task. Grievance ProceduresRegular employees often have no options if they feel they have been treated badly for anything other than illegal discrimination. Even if the employer’s action is based on one of those prohibited grounds, the employee still usually faces a long process with lots of red tape to cut through if they file a claim of discrimination with the U.S.EEOC or a state agency. Union grievance procedures give workers a tool that can be used to force employers to behave fairly with less red tape. Grievance procedures also offer benefits to employers in that they are usually faster than formal governmental processes. In short, there are many important reasons why labor unions can be beneficial to employees. These should be weighed carefully when deciding to start or join a union. Co-written by Isaac Kennen.
The copyright of the article Top Reasons to Unionize in the US in Labour Movements is owned by Estela Kennen. Permission to republish Top Reasons to Unionize in the US in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
