With today’s labor market the threat of union organizations are not at the top of an organization’s list of priorities. By having open and honest communication is a vital strategy for effective employee and labor relations. This paper will identify how unions and labor relations impact organizations. This paper will also examine the impact of changes in employee relations strategies, policies and practices on organizational performance.
Define union and labor relations and their impact on organization
Unions offer representation to the employees within an organization to support their interests and provide a bargaining process which, helps to provide a way to assist in managing conflicts between supervisors and subordinates (Noe et al, 2007). Union based associates perceive unionizing as a way to attain a voice to further their working relationships and their jobs entirely. The employees are also provided with a voice to help increase the quality and quantity that the employee offers the employer. Unions are not only beneficial for the employees but can also work in favor of the organization in which these individuals are employed.
Labor unions are comprised of various workers that would like to enhance the social and economic welfare of its members. A labor union speaks for its members by negotiating with the company in regard to the employment contract, which can include wages and working conditions. The represent is able to negotiate better wages, hours and other compensation benefits than what the employee can on their own.
How have unions benefited and hindered U.S. workers or companies?
Unions can provide various benefits to assure members against layoffs, illness, old age and funeral expenses. Most of these benefits are generally offered by the state; however, the member can still get lawful advice, representation, and training which are some of the key benefits (Molyneux, 2007). Unions are able
References: Berkeley, University of California. (2007). Arbitration. Retrieved on April 28, 2009, from http://hrweb.berkeley.edu/Labor/contracts/prnt25.htm. Lockwood, N.R. (n.d.) Elements of a Labor Contract. Retrieved on April 28, 2009, from http://www.shrm.org Molyneux, J. (2007, August 6). Socialism and the Trade Unions. Message posted to http://johnmolyneux.blogspot.com/2007/08/socialism-and-trade-unions.html . Noe, R. A., Hollenbeck, J.R., Gerhart, B., & Wright, P. M. (2007). Fundamentals of Human Resources Management (2nd ed.). New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies.