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Labor Union History

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A labor union, by definition, is an organized association of workers, often in trade or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests. The union, along with workplace management, are the two major entities of the labor relations process. That process involves the recognition of rights and responsibilities for both unions and management, the negotiation of the labor agreement between the two parties, and the administration of the negotiated labor agreement. The focal point of these relations are work rules, which facilitate the implementation of operational plans designed to accomplish an organization’s strategic goals. (Holley, p.6) This essay will explain the role that labor unions have had throughout the history of …show more content…

As of 2015, only 6.6 percent of employed workers are union members, less than a fifth of what it had been in 1945 and only half of what it was in 1985 (US Dept of Labor). Reasons for the decline vary, but the overall ineffectiveness of today’s unions is the most obvious. During good economic times, laborers don’t need unions to secure increases in wages & benefits because nearly everyone benefits from economic prosperity. Unions also struggle to keep a good public image. Many reports of corruption, mafia influence, embezzlement and bribery have occurred throughout the years and are difficult for the public to ignore. Employers often use these examples of greed to hinder union organizing …show more content…

Sixty years ago, unions effected the lives of nearly all Americans. Unions negotiated the wages and working conditions of a large portion of the American work force and even influenced the wages of many non-union workers as well. (Freeman) However, the current legal system in America has almost created a situation that is not conducive to cooperation between labor and management. Under U.S. labor law, a union that wins an election in a workplace must represent all the workers in the bargaining unit, even the ones who may have voted against the union. With the passing of the right-to-work laws in 25 states, workers can now refuse to join a union or pay union dues, even if they 're employed in a unionized workplace, which is a major blow to organized labor. Given this option, many workers choose to stop supporting the union because it makes no sense to pay for a service that it is obligated to provide

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