It is true that the benefits unions offer often comes with its pitfalls as well. The balancing of the power between employer and employee through unions often results counterproductive. The right of determining the disciplinary actions often becomes biased. It leads the unions to become more of a networking zone than skill developing medium. The combative nature of the relationship between the employers and unionized members often representing opposite interests, promotes hostility rather than collaboration in the workplace. The negotiations between the employees and employers often become a battle of egos, in which the employees suffer the most. Furthermore, the higher inclination towards unionized members as compared to non-unionized members fuels jealousy between them. However, even with all these disadvantages, it still offers everlasting benefits to the economy and labor. The inception of the Medicare and Social security is the example of the support that unions gave it to push it to the political process and benefit all labor alike (Gall, 207).
I agree that the benefits that a union brings to the table for the employees and the economy cannot be ignored. Unions give the employees the negotiating power which leads to improved wages, benefits, and safety at the workplace. Moreover, unionized workers have assured union advocacy. The employers usually do not have the right to determine disciplinary actions and terminate unionized employees which give them job security. Furthermore, by representing the workers, unions play a crucial role in protecting the rights of workers and promoting training, managing, and deploying of a professional team ultimately benefiting everyone in the economy. However, it is evident that the presence of the unions comes with its costs to both employees and employers. The unreasonable boosting of wages may lead to higher costs of labor for the employers. It can trigger the employers to raise prices of their goods or services, or to outsource the labor for compensating the effect. Moreover, it would also portray the unions as self-serving. It is evident that with all the benefits the unions may offer to the employees, the number of unionized employees has declined substantially over the years in the USA (War on Want.Org, 2016) .
Further Discussion Questions
With the lowest number of unionized members in the USA at this time, (with higher income inequality) do you not think that the USA needs unions now more than ever?
Does this not show that the advantages of the unions have been subdued by their disadvantages?
References
Gall, G. (2017, May 30). Workers recognise the importance of unions in protecting their rights. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/may/30/workers-unions-protecting-rights
War on Want.Org. (2016, February 9). Nine Reasons Why Unions Are Important. Retrieved from https://waronwant.org/media/nine-reasons-why-unions-are-important
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