Significant roles played by labor unions in the United States

Muhammad Z.

Order the writing of a tailor-made Labor law Term papers

Free quote online

Thesis Format .doc

Significant roles played by labor unions in the United States

Download

Read an extract

Reader
Abstract
Contents
Extract

Abstract

This research paper examines significant roles played by the labor unions in the United States. A declining rate of union membership has been seen during the last few decades. Globalization, outsourcing jobs, economical changes, and new technological advancements, and inactive roles of labor unions themselves are few strong factors responsible for declining rate of union membership. On the other hand, labor unions have also adopted new strategic ways to re-organize their efforts and operations. Labor unions have played a significant role in improving the employees' working conditions, issue of minimum wage, safety, and working environment. New reforms and working structure are also needed within different labor unions to make them more effective. Different labor unions are also thinking to merge with each other which can provide more efficiency and effectiveness within unions.

Abstract
Understanding labor unions
The importance of labor unions in future
The decreasing level of labor union membership
Argument against labor unions
New trend of merging different labor unions
Importance and significance of labor unions
The role of political parties in labor unions
Issues related to discrimination at the workplace
Labor unions and resolving discrimination
Educating and training union members
Conclusion
References

Get this table of contents for free after login.

Extract

[...] Need of labor unions is still valid in this today's world. Absence of labor unions can create huge problems for organizations and employees. References Bacon, D. (2009). A radical vision for today's labor movement. Monthly Review: An Independent Socialist Magazine Retrieved from EBSCO Academic Search Complete database (36268360). Bok, D. (1971). Reflections on the distinctive character of American labor laws. Harward Law Review Retrieved from EBSCO Academic Search Complete database (8613641). Clark, K. (2005). Disorganized labor. U.S. News and World Report Retrieved from EBSCO Academic Search Complete database (17355225). [...]

[...] Despite decreasing level of labor union membership in the United States, labor unions have also played significant and innovative roles to maximize organizational values. Schwab and Thomas (1998), mention that shareholder activism is an example of new and innovative ways applied by labor unions to strengthen their power and influence. For example, in 1997, labor unions played a very important role by supporting a shareholder's resolution to cap executive base salaries at $ 1 million for General Electric. Another example is related to Teamsters labor union which participated in the publication of a list of least valuable directors of different companies. [...]

[...] Texas Journal of Women and the Law Retrieved from EBSCO Academic Search Complete database (23197074). Milkman R. (2006). Devided we stand. New Labor Forum Retrieved from EBSCO Academic Search Complete database (10957960). Moberg, D. (2004). A union of unions. Nation Retrieved from EBSCO Academic Search Complete database (12714894). Rosenberg, J., & Rosenberg, S. (2006). An examination of the historical and contemporary role of labor unions in the social work profession. Social Work Retrieved from EBSCO Academic Search Complete database (23263185). Schwab, S., & Thomas, [...]

[...] Labor unions have played a significant role in improving the working conditions of employees. It is also obvious that labor unions can play a strong role in making connection between employers and workers. Frundt (2002) claims that globalization is a major factor of decreasing the role of labor unions. It is more likely to see the presence of fragmentation of labor market, violation of workers' rights, and lowering level of working conditions due to the destruction of labor unions. Due to new economic trends and rapid changes in workplace environment, labor union membership is declining, but complete destruction of labor unions can impact the workplace setting and working conditions in a negative way. [...]

[...] Thomas (2004) mentions that political parties in the United States have also played their role to influence the labor movement and laws. Usually, Democratic Party favors the presence of labor union. On the other hand, most republicans discourage activities related to labor movement and unions. Thomas (2004) claims that transferring labor movement to states where democrats are in majority can be very helpful to organize labor unions in the United States. According to Bok (1971), labor laws and unions are sources which provide employees' rights of joining a union, negotiating with employers, striking within limits, getting reasonable minimum wages, and insuring certain economic standards (p. [...]

doc