The Advantages of Joining a Labor Union
Since the eighteenth century, labor organizations have collaborated with companies to safeguard worker rights. This was notably true during the growth of Europe’s and America’s industrial revolutions. Although government reforms have helped diminish labor unions’ influence and presence, public sector unions have maintained a constant growth pattern, while private-sector unions assist in training people to become skilled employees in a given vocation.
What is a labor union?
A labor union is a group of employees that have banded together to accomplish common aims. Typically, labor unions pay their formal organization, head office, and legal staff through regular fees or union dues. The delegates’ staff is made up of volunteers from the workplace who members nominate through democratic elections.
How can a labor union benefit you?
The advantages of labor unions demonstrate that when any organization has the ability to wield power, good things occur. Below are remarkable key points to keep in mind.
Unions safeguard employees’ right to work.
Numerous workplaces employ employees on an at-will basis, which means they can be fired for virtually any cause including those that occur beyond the four walls of their job. On the other hand, union representation advocates for workers to increase their chances of retaining employment. If you’re from the Alberta area, check out TLU 987.
Unions strengthen worker’s bargaining power.
Unionized workers have a stronger bargaining position in contract negotiations, as they can bargain collectively. Without a union, workers must negotiate their wages and benefits, and research indicates that many women and minorities have a more difficult time doing so.
Unions assist employees in defending themselves.
Unionized workers are guaranteed to have a representative on the job. Unions guarantee them more job security, equal pay, and a measure of protection against workplace disciplinary actions and warnings. Unionized workers have grievance procedures in place if, for example, they disagree with disciplinary proceedings imposed against them.
Unions work to improve workers’ retirement prospects.
Unionized workers have a more significant number of retirement benefits available to them. Employees who are represented by a transportation union or any type of union for that matter at work have a better chance of qualifying for retirement benefits. Indeed, unionized workers are more likely to have pensions.
Unionized employees earn more than non-unionized employees.
Across the country, unionized workers earn more than non-unionized workers. And it’s not just for financial gain either. Unionized workers have a stronger bargaining position when it comes to negotiating a variety of benefits, such as life and health insurance, paid vacation time, and sick days, to name a few. Indeed, 93 percent of unionized workers were entitled to medical benefits, compared to 69 percent of non-unionized workers.
Conclusion
Never before has there been an essential time to join a labor union. Ordinary people find it more difficult to make ends meet because 26 billionaires hold as much wealth as the poorest half of the world’s population (about 50 percent). Trade unions fight for working people to receive a more equitable share of earnings, which in turn contributes to a more stable economy and society overall.