Are Labor Unions Good or Bad in Today's Contemporary Work Environment?

Are labor unions good or bad in today's contemporary work environment?

Unemployment is still rising and companies are closing everyday. Labor unions mediate for union employees to remain on their jobs, while non-union worker are still unemployed.

The history of the labor union and their growth to today's modern environment can be trace back to colonial times most of those early protests usually were in regards to increasing wages for services. Unions lobby for better wages, rights and working environment. They have the power and influence in the political and business area. Labor unions are a part of the United States history in the areas of commerce and economy.

Unions are organizations that represent employees in negotiation with management in job-related issues. Workers originally form unions due to appalling working conditions and unjust treatment. In forming a union workers gain more negotiating power and political power, they also have job security until their current contract is up for renegotiation. Labor unions were responsible in the minimum wage laws, overtime rules, worker's compensations, child-labor laws and much more of the fringe benefits we enjoy in today's modern workplace for union and no-union workers.

I believe labor unions are essential to the American economy in order for the United States to reemerge as a financial power on the global stage. Though few of the inhuman conditions that once existed in the workplace are here in the United States, they still exist in other countries. Our leadership role as a power nation serves as example to other nations the inhuman treatment and intolerable working conditions are no longer acceptable. Those who belong to a union have the unique position of being able to file a grievance against their employer in relation to violation of contract and a union representative will help to resolve the disagreement versus a non-union setting where the employee will have to resolve their disagreement without representation. Unions also use mediation and arbitrations when bargaining with management for members during negotiations without a union, employees each have to battle their own contract issue. Unions will strike when the aforementioned tools do not work which leaves management to fend for them.

Union membership is beneficial in wages, union members make 27% more than nonunion members ((howstuffworks.com). Union members have healthcare coverage, guaranteed pensions, protection from unjust dismissal due to the grievance and arbitration process.

The issues that the labor union faces today are different from in the past. Union now deals with global competition, offshore outsourcing, advancing technology and the changing nature of work environments. Some unions have had to give back previous gains and concessions in order to retain jobs in today's economy. Unions continue to grow;