Analysis Paper 3: Pros and Cons of Labor Unions
The right to self-organization is the right of every worker, free of any intrusion from the employer to form, join or assist in the formation of any legitimate worker's organization or union of his or her own choice. The reason for granting this right is grounded on the essential unfairness in the bargaining situation between an employer and his employees. As the issue of employment bargaining is concerned, there is no doubt that the employer stands on higher ground than the employee. That being said brings me to ask the question: Are labor unions good or bad?
To start with, there is greater supply of labor than the demand for labor. Consequently, the employer has the choice to levy demands upon his employees. Next, the need for employment by labor often times arises out of desperation and necessity. As a result, the labor must protect labor to the extent of raising him to equal stability in bargaining relations with his employers and to protect him against abuses. This is in recognition of the principle that those who have less in life should have more in law. The right to form unions is a palpable indicator of the protection accorded by law to labor. By giving employees the opportunity to unite themselves against the employers, they can negotiate with their employers for better wages, benefits and terms and conditions of employment. Certainly, there is no better vehicle for securing change in the workplace than the employees’ union. When employees form or join unions, they act as one and the management gets to hear their voices and their demands. Labor unions therefore serve as driving force for the employees to demand change in the workplace. One of the contributions of the labor unions is that they have helped increase the wages of the working class (“What did the Unions Ever do for us?” 2001). In every