Workers form unions to bargain collectively with employers.
Also known as a union in some parts of the world, a union is an organization created to function as a defender and protector of workers who are engaged in a certain branch of activity. This advocacy often takes the form of negotiating benefits and salary requirements for union members, as well as lobbying the state and federal governments for legislation to protect the rights of these workers. Often a union is also concerned about the working conditions of its members, especially in relation to the safety of those conditions.
Unions can form around specific types of workers, such as miners.
Depending on the nature of the union, the organization’s management may also work with employers and public officials on other matters of interest to its members. For example, union leaders can work with employers to structure processes for handling grievances in a way that is fair to all parties involved. In addition, union officials can work with employers to create and maintain standards for the hiring and firing processes of union members. In some situations, unions can work with employers to set limits on the number of hours an employee can work per week, a factor often related to creating a safe work environment.
Unions guarantee safe working conditions on construction sites.
A union generally maintains a lobby that represents the interests of its members in terms of new and existing laws. In this capacity, a union may work with members of specific political parties or legislators currently serving in government to draft and support legislation that protects the rights of their constituents. It is not uncommon for a union to also support a candidate for a specific office during an election year.
Union advocacy can take the form of lobbying the federal government for legislation to protect workers’ rights.
The value of a union is somewhat controversial in today’s world. Trade advocates or unions believe they are necessary to ensure that employees are treated equally by everyone and not just some employers. Supporters often point to the long history of workplace reforms brought about by the presence of a strong union. Critics sometimes assume that the idea of a union is outdated in today’s world, especially in nations where federal and state laws already protect the rights of workers generally. Sometimes these critics also point to situations in the past where unions were compromised by the influence of outside forces and did not fully support their members. As the debate over unions continues, industries that are unionized are likely to remain so for many years to come.