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In a world rife with political turmoil and economic uncertainty, it is hard for a common person to make ends meet. When you think about a minimum wage earner, things get grimmer. Large corporations and multinational companies that employ the biggest portion of these workers often come short when it comes to paying proper salary, benefits, and pension options. This is where a labor union comes into the picture.
For decades, labor unions have provided a platform and effective support where laborers can voice their concerns and be sure that they will be heard. In many cases, a labor union got involved in cases where companies were not accommodating laborers’ demands. They have successfully negotiated and concluded the cases in peaceful resolution and the favor of laborers.
That’s why “big companies” often stigmatize labor unions by portraying them as agents of chaos to disrupt economic peace and prosperity.
In this article, we will go into the details with reasons why labor unions exist and why trade unions are important.
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Reasons Why Unions Are Important
From pop culture to literature and political moments, we have seen that laborers and workers are often denied basic rights. They have to toil for extended hours in unsafe conditions and still, they could not be able to get much to support a comfortable lifestyle.
A labor union is good in the sense that they give voice to the concerns of individual laborers. They amplify and highlight the needs and make sure that the higher management in a given company comes to the table.
When it is there, these unions ensure that they will sit until the terms and conditions for the contract are not revised. That’s why workers, specifically, and nations, generally, are proud of their worker union and union membership.
To make it easier for readers to understand why labor unions are important or why unions are good, here are some reasons:
- Unity Among Workers
- Favorable Terms & Conditions
- More Paid Leaves
- Better Wages
- Stability & Security of Work
- Forceful Support
- Equality
- Healthy & Safe Working Conditions
- Legal Help
Unity Among Workers
Labor unions are in no way communist, but they give a strong and sturdy platform for workers to work and earn without worries. In recent times, many companies and corporations have tried to change the status of full-time employees to “self-employed” contractors.
This is seriously threatening the wage and work value structure for the employees. To address this and many issues, workers need a common voice through labor unions. This is why unions are important because union workers can forward their proposals through proper channels.
Favorable Terms & Conditions
It is common practice that companies present tailor-made contracts to laborers. Often, they introduce terms and conditions that directly or implicitly violate the safeguards and insurance of workers.
With active unions and union membership, workers never have to worry about this. They have their lawyers who study and negotiate terms of contracts with companies on the behalf of all workers.
One of the biggest achievements of trade or workers’ unions is to get a five-day working week from the companies. That’s why unions are necessary so that union workers have better pay as well as lenient terms and conditions.
More Paid Leaves
Workers were fighting for decades to get more paid leaves and holidays. Then, unions stepped in and fought for union workers. Now, unions members not only enjoy work stability and security but also enjoy more paid holidays than ever.
For instance, in the UK, union workers enjoy 25% more holidays than their non-union counterparts, thanks to a collective bargaining agreement through the labor movement that resulted in union membership. This is what employees and unions members fight for.
Better Wages
Another benefit of having functional trade unions around is better wages and the implementation of the national labor relations act. This is one of the oldest games that has been going on between employers and employees for centuries.
Thanks to unions, workers are now ensured to earn proportionately to their work and abilities.
In the UK, union workers earn around 6% more than those who are not union workers. A few years ago, McDonald’s denied fair wages and better working conditions to workers. Workers united together under a laborer’s union and won the deal with the company. This shows the clarity of labor unions principal objectives.
This shows how a labor union protects and serves workers, often at times when they are alone in their struggle.
Stability & Security of Work
One of the many important reasons why many laborers do not stay for long at their job is the lack of security and stability in the work and wages.
With the rise in pandemics, high-earning brands could be struggling but they are raking billions in revenue each year. In turn, laborers are denied better wages, security, stability, and bonuses in the name of poor economic conditions.
This is another instance where employees and labor unions members are playing their roles through a large labor movement. In many cases, unions and union representatives are at the forefront of the legal battle to win higher wages and bonuses for employees.
Forceful Support
When it comes to union strength and reach, the whole becomes much more than the sum of its parts. When union workers are employed, they never have to worry about employers taking advantage of them.
Another appeal to labor unions’ structure is that they are truly global, being part of the labor movement. Whether it is in Asia or Europe or America, unions often get together and work collectively to improve working conditions, minimum wage, and the status of workers around the world.
After the pandemic, the need for these labor unions has been increased. The companies have found new excuses and reasons not to pay better wages to their workers. Unions working collectively and peacefully can straighten these things out.
Equality
Labor Unions have no gender and this is where their true appeal lies – collective bargaining agreement. Since their inception, unions have been constantly working hard to eliminate gender pay gaps, sexist work environments, and acceptable harassment culture.
In the UK and the US, trade unions have worked successfully and peacefully in voicing the concerns of the mistreated workers, including approval of higher wages. In return, labor unions have helped them in getting rid of the negative elements of the workspace while getting improved wage structure and bonuses.
Healthy & Safe Working Conditions
Worker unions ensure safe and healthy working conditions for employees. In the past, many cases have surfaced where workers faced unsafe work conditions and end up sick or distraught.
Unsafe conditions lead to mental and physical health issues. With the help of labor unions, workers can get a hold of treatment and compensation depending on the conditions.
Legal Help
The relationship between workers and employers is dictated through contracts and agreements. Most of the time, employers are not in a position to understand and negotiate these contracts without the help of labor unions.
With a labor union and union representatives in their corner, they are in a better position to represent these employees. In the last couple of years, trade unions around the world have fought on the behalf of workers to secure better wages, facilities, and pensions.
Conclusion
Governments often claim to safeguard the rights and privileges of workers. But, they often come short or favor the sides of big corporations. In these scenarios, having a labor union for workers is a blessing as workers can rely on these to fight on their behalf.
Due to a labor union, which is often being cast in a bad light, workers can enjoy higher wages, security, and stability with the job structure, equality, and safe working conditions. Workers understand that their future and that of their loved ones are secure, both financially and mentally. That’s why it is important to have labor unions to ensure the better working conditions, prosperity, and well-being of people who work hard to make ends meet.
Sources:
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/09/unions-workers.asp
- https://www.epi.org/publication/why-unions-are-good-for-workers-especially-in-a-crisis-like-covid-19-12-policies-that-would-boost-worker-rights-safety-and-wages/
- https://waronwant.org/news-analysis/ten-reasons-why-unions-are-important