...Labor Laws and Unions HRM/531 September 13, 2011 Professor Michael Weinsenberg, MBA. Labor Laws and Unions At a general level, the purpose of a union is to improve financial and other conditions of employment. Unions have flourished over the years in accomplishing these goals. More recently, they have experienced many challenges leading to membership losses. Currently unions are trying to reverse decline by placing workers in various industries such as casinos, museums, services. Several of positions include white-collar workers, physicians, nuclear engineers’ psychologists, and immigration judges (Cascio, p., 537, 2010). In 1943, TWU organized employees of the former Philadelphia Transit company. Local 234 won their first major victory for TWU outside of New York City. The local union was formed during the time of racial strife and the TWU stood by its record and strong dedication to racial equality to represent African American trolley operators. However, TWU local 234 represents more than 5,000 workers at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation (SEPTA). Upper Darby Municipal and Eden’s Paratranist employees are included. Local 234 established a name for themselves by getting the job done at contact time. Therefore, the members show pride for the indispensable service they provide to their communities (www.twu234.org). One union that has proven its presence in the City of Philadelphia as well as nationwide branch is the Transport Worker Union...
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...The Union Demand for Recognition and Bargaining Rights I. – Evaluation of Claims Made By the Union Before entering in the matter of analysing the claims made by the union will precede to define "a labor union as an organization of employees formed to advance, through collective action, its members interests with regard to wages and working conditions"(Ivancevich, 2010,p.497). Therefore, companies should have unions to protect employee’s rights and create corporate environments in which employees are treated fairly by employers. “Labor unions continue to provide a number of important benefits to workers across the country (Conrad, 2012). The current scenario presents claims made by the union in which the union filed claims against the company for employers’ constant interrogations to employees about the union activities. Employees received threats that the company will deprive them of benefits if electing the union. There was an additional claim made by the union in which the union states that the employees were threatening for not disclosing the names of other employees attending the union meetings. The union also considers that the company had no right informing the employees about knowing of the operations of joining a union. Also, the union claim that the company tried to dissuade employees from joining the union by offering to pay them certain medical benefits. Such offerings and questioning was perceived by the union as acts intended to discourage employees from...
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...Labor Laws and Unions During week two of the class, the individual paper will give a brief background on United Auto Workers Union. It will discuss the legal issues and obstacles that it has or may encounter. This paper will discuss which federal, state, or local laws that could be broken due to the legal issues that has happen. The author will discuss the effects of the union by answering these following questions: What are the organization’s benefits of joining a union, what is the unionization process, how does a union bargain, and what effects does union bargaining have on the organization. The United Auto Worker (UAW) represents workers in the United States and Puerto Rico, and formerly in Canada. It was founded in 1930’s as part of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). From 1936 to 1950’s UAW grew rapidly; under the leadership of Walter Reuther it had a major role in the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, which include the civil rights and anti-communist movements. According to (UAW, 2010) UAW has more than 390,000 active members and more than 600,000 retired members. A majority of the union’s retirees stay actively involved in the life of their union, which they participate in 703 retiree chapters and play a vital role in the UAW’s community action program (UAW, 2010). The legal issues and obstacles that UAW faced was in the early years the union found itself face to face with the law by promoting wildcat strikes and work stoppages. According to US Supreme...
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...Labor Laws and Unions Paper Patricia Baskerville HRM/531 February 27, 2012 Professor Brian Frank Labor Laws and Unions Paper Unionization plays a critical role in protecting the rights of the employees within the workplace. In today’s economy, very few industries have unions such as manufacturing, education and healthcare. In this article, Ford Motor Company, an automobile industry has a large union mainly because of the size of the company. This article will discuss Ford’s motor company background, and its legal issues or obstacles the organization may encounter. In addition, this article will discuss Ford’s legal issues violation and possible recommendations to minimize litigation. Following, this article will discuss Ford’s benefit of joining a union and the process the organization took toward unionization, and the method the union uses to bargain. In closing, this article will discuss the effects union bargaining has on Ford Motor Company. Furthermore, Ford Motor Company union assisted with its operational processes by increasing its performance and production level. Background Henry Ford, the founder of Ford’s Motor Company developed this organization in 1903. Henry Ford’s objective was to create a company that is the leading automotive manufacturing company throughout the world. Ford Motor Company produces cars, trucks, commercial trucks, and replacement automobile parts. Ford Motor Company employs over 200,000 people including 170,000 employees and 40,000 United...
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...Labor Laws and Unions Walmart is one of the biggest retail stores in the world. Walmart operates worldwide with current total count of its stores reaching 9.667 stores worldwide (Walmart Corporate, 2011). Interestingly, Walmart is an organization that is currently non-unionized. This paper will provide brief background information on Walmart organization. Legal issues and obstacles that Walmart could encounter will also be identified. The writer will determine which federal, state, or local laws could be broken because of the legal issues and why. Finally, recommendations to minimize possible litigation will be provided. The second part of the paper will deal with scenario if Walmart joining a union. Effects of the union on Walmart will be discussed next on the paper. Organization’s benefits of joining a union will be analyzed. Process of unionization will be discussed. And ways on how a union bargains and its effects on Walmart will be considered. Walmart’s Background Walmart begins in 1962 along with other retail stores such as Kmart and Target. Walmart has a humble beginning, with its owner Sam Walton put up 95 percent of their money to open the first Walmart stores in Rogers, Arkansas. Walmart finally goes public ten years later in 1972 which brings more capital to the organization. Walmart starts booming in the 1980s, where in the period of 10 years, sales grow from $ 1 billion in 1980s to $26 billion in 1989. In 21st century, Walmart is serving more than 176 million...
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...Labor Laws And Union Labor Laws and Unions I will discuss a brief background on Ford Motor Company. Identify legal issues and obstacles that this organization could encounter. Determine which federal, state, or local laws could be broken because of these legal issues and why. Provide recommendations to minimize possible litigation. What are the organization’s benefits of joining a union? What is the unionization process? How does a union bargain? What effects does union bargaining have on the organization? Ford Motor Company Background The Ford Motor Company was founded in 1903 by Henry Ford. The Ford Motor Company established itself as being one of the biggest automotive makers in the world. Ford is well-known for making cars and trucks. Ford is also in the business of financing vehicles. Ford has about 78 plants worldwide, Ford employs about 166,000 around the country and 41,000 United Auto Workers (UAW) within the United States. “Ford announced a new four-year labor contract with the United Automobile Workers union in October 2011. The company agreed to add 12,000 jobs and invest $6.2 billion in its United States plants. The numbers included 6,250 jobs and $2.4 billion in investment that it had previously announced” (New York Times, 2011). Legal Issues and Obstacles Ford Could Encounter The current recession has forced many workers and unions to take reductions to avoid Ford and other companies from outsourcing their production. In signing a new contract with...
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...Laws that are implications for unions The Taft-Hartley Act additionally had essential ramifications for unions. Affirmed in 1947, Taft-Hartley changed the Wagner Act. The law was acquainted due to the expansion of strikes amid this timeframe. Whereas the Wagner Act tended to the uncalled for work practices of the organization, the Taft-Hartley Act concentrated on the unreasonable demonstrations of the unions. For instance, it restricted strikes that were not approved by the union, called wildcat strikes. It likewise restricted auxiliary activities (or optional blacklists) in which a union goes on strike in sensitivity for the alternative union. The law permitted the official branch of the central government to dismiss a strike if the strike...
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...States Postal Service Labor Laws and Unions The United States Postage Service (USPS) is one of the country’s most striving organizations. A discussion of this document will explain the effects of the union and labor laws within the USPS. This article will also review the benefits of joining the union and what is the unionization process. In addition, it will examine the union bargain and discuss the effects it has on the USPS. The United States Postal Service Background The USPS employees over 600,000 workers and operates more than 220,000 fleets of vehicles in the world (USPS, 2012). The USPS is a branch of the federal government led by the postmaster general and a Board of Governors with oversight by the postal Regulatory Commission (USPS, 2012). However, Congress ultimately governs all authority. Congress imposes regulations on the organization and provides protection from opposition. The formation of the postal service allows revenues from the postage sales and services to cover cost of operations with $100 million annual appropriation from Congress for providing no cost mailing to the blind and overseas absentee-ballot mailing (USPS, 2012). Benefits of Joining Unions The postal service union’s purpose is to propose a fair contract to its members while meeting its financial and operational needs. The union prevents members from mistreatment, provides continual employment, and offers peace of mind while guaranteeing benefits based on the cost-of-living...
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...fiscal surplus similar to the rest of the European union. ________________________________________ Main arguments in favor of the Greece not to default: 1. Penalties for sovereign default: There were provisions for penalties if a country defaulted on its external debt such as exclusion from further borrowing for some time, downgraded credit ratings and inability to borrow in your own currency. 2. Decrease in Labor productivity and TFP : From Exhibit 1, we can see that Total factor productivity and labor productivity declined from 2000 to 2010. This means less output was received per worker. Moreover in Greece, the companies were nationalized after 1981 and monetary policy was under direct political control. This could be reverted by liberalizing the economy. It could also be reverted by increasing the total factor productivity by reducing employee compensation & social benefits. The Exhibit 1 shows that there was no reduction in employee compensation & social benefits since 2000-2010. The comparison of unit labor cost indices from Exhibit 2 also shows that labor was more expensive in Greece than in Germany. This could be reduced to gain competitive advantage in exports of services such as shipping & tourism. 3. High bond yields before joining EU : From Exhibit 3, we can see that after joining EU, the Greece was considered more safe investment destination because bond yields declined. But before 2001(before joining EU), the bond yield for Greece was higher as...
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...Labor Laws and Unions Mitch Atkinson HRM/531 October 29, 2012 Dennis Cashman Labor Laws and Unions This paper topic is the organizational benefits of joining a union, the unionization process, union bargaining procedures, and the effects union bargaining has on an organization. American Airlines (AA) and the transportation workers union (TWU) are the selected organization and company. Included information, background information on American Airlines, along with history of TWU at AA, legal issues, and obstacles that AA has encountered with TWU. AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines, Inc. and AMR Eagle Holding Corporation filed in November 2011 a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 reorganization. To achieve a cost and debt structure that was industry competitive for long-term viability. There are various unions associated with the airline industry, the one chosen to discuss in this paper is the transportation workers union. TWU has 114 autonomous locals representing more than 200,000 members in 22 states around the country. As part of the Chapter 11 reorganization of AA the initial announcement that as many as 11,000 workers may be let go at the Fort Worth-based airline. The most recent announcement from AA is that approximately 4,400 mechanics, store clerks, and ground crew members of TWU will be part of a lay off. There are seven TWU workgroups representing approximately 24,000 employees at American Airlines. As part of the strategic and collective...
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...Labor Laws & Unions – United Parcel Service HRM/531 April, 2013 Abstract Labor Laws and Unions were established to protect the employees in an organization through maintaining his or her rights under law. The Clayton Act was established in 1914, which stated that employees had the right to join a union. Many laws have been passed since then to protect the rights of the organization’s and its unions. The United Parcel Service (UPS) is the largest employer of the Teamsters Union under the Package Division ("Teamsters package division,"). UPS is an excellent example of the benefits of joining a union it processes and its negotiation power. Benefits to Joining a Union There are many benefits to joining the United Parcel Service (UPS) Teamsters Union. According to the Teamster’s Package Division newsletter, the division represents package car drivers, air drivers, feed drivers, part-time loaders, unloaders, sorters and clerks ("Teamsters package division,"). Joining the Teamsters union offers opportunity for workers to receive better pay, benefits and improved working conditions. In 1997, the Teamsters union represented UPS when they went out on strike to receive better wages for part-time employees and to keep control over the union employee pension fund. The strike lasted 15 days and the outcome was in favor of the union and the employees. The company increased the wages of part-time and full-time employees, upgraded part-time positions to full-time and gave the union...
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...USPS: American Postal Workers Union APWU Ashley Young HRM 531 September 24, 2012 David Freeman APWU I. Brief Background a. Represents more than 220,000 employees of the United States Postal Service who are clerks, maintenance employees, etc. b. Known as the world’s largest postal union c. Been active since the 19th century. Initially, it was just the Post Office Dept. Until 1970s , it became the US Postal Service and postal unions were allowed to bargain collectively over wages and conditions for the first time. d. In the beginning, there were no bargaining right. Increases depended on the whim of congress. II. Current Federal, Local, State Issue a. Law states that, the USPS must request an advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission when making nationwide changes in service and of course, policies. Recently, the PRC dismissed a claim that was filed. b. The claim was filed requesting to the stop the implementation of changes that called for USPS to merge more than 40 mail processing plants and lower service standards. c. The APWU Nurses are still in negotiation of a successful contract to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. d. There was a recent case regarding the pay of traveling employees. It seems there was a disagreement on how to handle the pay of employees when an unexpected delay occurs in an overnight stay. i. Article...
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...Legislations That Shaped Labor Unions For centuries, the divide between laborers and their controllers have come with a high price. From wealthy farmers to corporate presidents, their subordinates have had to work hard to achieve their personal goals and that of employers. At times, employees have been exploited by working outrageous hours under horrible conditions for a measly pay. Such abuse was absorbed by the needy and continued for years, until the government stepped in and demanded labors to be implemented. Such laws gave the rights and freedom that many were looking for in order to work stable hours and for reasonable pay. Like many laws, it took time and effort but such laws came to fruition by legislations such as The Wagner Act, The Taft-Hartley Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Wagner Act, also known as The National Labor Relations Act of 1935, is the foundation for all unions that are now in existence in the United States. Prior to The Wagner Act, employees had no say as to whether or not they wanted to come together and agree on proposals for better and healthier work environments by being represented by unions. The Wagner Act gave employees the ability to work together, unionize and designate employee representatives that would be the voice of the employees when it came to collective bargaining (Department of Labor (DOL), 2014). This act specifically required employers to bargain in good faith over mandatory bargaining issues such as wages, hours,...
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...Labor Laws and Unions Kaiser Permanente has been a well-known health care provider in the United States for over 65 years. Kaiser Permanente started with a simple 12 bed hospital in the middle of the Mojave Desert with a single surgeon. Kaiser Permanente has now grown to partnership as two organizations known today as Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals and the Permanente Medical Groups. Kaiser Permanente upholds their mission to provide quality care for members and families, and to contribute to the well-being of their many communities. Legal issues and obstacles that Kaiser Permanente could encounter would be areas such as lawsuits, malpractice and tort reform, discrimination, workers compensation, false claims, compliance requirements, and labor and employment issues. As a result of these legal issues come federal, state, and or local laws that could very well be broken. Laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 as well as the Fair Employment and Housing Act are the laws that could be broken. The description of these laws provide the necessary reasons as to why they would be considered broken if any of the above listed legal issues were to occur. There are many recommendations to minimize possible litigation; however, the recommendation that would be most fitting in this situation would be to continuously send the Kaiser Permanente employees through mandatory trainings and refresher courses. The purpose of these trainings and courses would be to keep...
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...Labor Relations Team D MGT/434 February 14, 2016 Charles Burr Labor Relations Into Happy Trails, LLS is a for-profit, medium-sized independent living home that is in need of a few measures to become more attractive for patients. Despite other independent living having the same care as Happy Trails, they are actually the most convenient independent living home facility near the city due to traffic and road congestion. Happy Trails will now need to build on to their long term care and to do this they will have to undergo some budget cuts. They have since reduced the overtime of their staff and have let go of their registered nurses. When the registered nurses left Happy Trails, they were replaced by Licensed Practical Nurses who don't get paid as much and get fewer benefits. These nurses are now thinking of joining a union that is also representing other independent living homes in the city. As members of a consulting firm, the LPN's and Happy Trails are now asking for advice. The Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) at Happy Trails, LLC seem a little uncomfortable with them doing the same job in the suburbs as all the other companies, from the same industry, located within the city, yet Happy Trail’s LPNs receive less pay, and less benefits. It is not recommended for Happy Trails’ employees to unionize, because it is a company that because of the demographical location that it currently is in, cannot afford to pay, or compensate, more to the employees...
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