FREE ESSAY ON UNIONS AND WORKERS

UNIONS AND WORKERS

The past or current tendency of unionizing or not, is the proof of the diversity of our
working environment. Some factors are therefore influencing or refraining workers from
joining an union:
1) Positive Factors:
? Strong craft unions: unions such as IGMETAL, are achieving job-related goals, since
they benefit from substantial memberships. Therefore, they are able to defend crafts'
demands.
? Work force 's protection: in a competitive context, employers are prone to implement
their own policies, despite workers' rights. Thus, unions enable compromises (wage
reopener clause or cost-of-living adjustment). This protection is moreover vital in some
areas (textile, factories), because of the usual bad working conditions. 
2) Negative factors:
? The composition of the work force: it was clearly shown, that workers who belong to
minorities (because of their color, religion, gender) are not tend to unionize. 
? Anti-unionization strategies: some firms are not willing its employees to join an
union, since they could possibly protest through: picketing, boycotts, slowdowns or even
strikes. These employees might crack under the corporate pressure. 
? A lack of negotiation: in some countries (like in Italy or France), unions are not
reaching agreements on collective bargaining, since craft unions are too numerous. A
compromise is often complex to find.
206 Words
B) What is the state of the labor-unions in your country as compared to the U.S ?
It is obvious that France unions do not benefit from a good image and renown. Indeed,
french unions have proved their inefficiency to reach an agreement or to negotiate
collective bargaining. 
Therefore, several reasons can be found. 
? In order to impose their conditions and demands, unions are prone to focus on
confrontation rather than on co-operation (mainly strikes).
? Furthermore, french unions are unable to federate craft-unions. Therefore, agreements
have to be reached with a diversity of unions. 
? Finally, employees do not believe that unions are able to protect and to defend their
own rights. Thus, a certain decline of the unionization is noticed at present.
107 words
Bibliography
introduction to modern business
6th edition