Unionization at Work Places

Unionization at Work Places

Introduction

Labor organizations or unions are formed by employees who want better wages, benefits, and healthy working conditions. Over the years, participation in unions has declined regardless of the benefits it offers. There are less strikes and better wages in the United States which in turn does not warrant the high need for these types of organizations in the work place.

Labor unions today compared to in the past have fewer members and are more populated by political parties and public sector employees. During the implementation of unions, the labor force consisted heavily of automobile and steel plant workers. This has decreased due to outsourcing these jobs to foreign countries. Americans have also seen a decrease in highly-skilled jobs due to outsourcing. The United States Government current push on company's to send these skilled jobs offshore, in return for a tax break, is hurting the economy and trade deficit (Wagner, 2008).

While jobs are increasing in foreign countries workers rights are not. Wages are low and employees do not have the respect and healthy work conditions as most American unions. According to a petition filed with the U.S. Trade Representative by the AFL-CIO and Industrial Union Council, the United States has lost more than 1 million jobs because of constant violations of workers rights in China. Countries with low wages or no minimum wages have the ability to offer low cost product because the labor rates put into producing these items are usually fifty to eighty percent less than the United States or other nations. Under the Trade Act of 1974, the United States has the right to take action against countries who commit unfair trade practices. The Bush administration has yet to address this issue.

There are several union movement companies across the world that are trying to enforce fair wages and better working conditions for certain under privileged countries. Two of the organizations that represent union workers are the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). Both of these company's stress the importance of human rights, minimum wages, and healthy workplaces for all employees. The Governments of these low wage countries try their best to ignore and disregard these conditions that are not normal. The benefits of these workers working under these conditions are too high and production is increasing in countries such as China and India (Gordon & Turner, 2000).

Labor union organizations have helped enforce several workers rights from sexual discrimination to age discrimination. The AFL-CIO is very adamant about the following: people who want to work should have a job with a living wage, workers are proud of their work and should have the chance to do it right, workers should enjoy the freedom to form a union and bargain collectively, and want to contribute to, and share in, building a world-class economy. Unions are still very much a part of the current work force and people are serious about their ...