The Role of Labor Unions Assessment Sample Essay
Introduction
A labor union can be defined as an organization that is intended to represent the collective interests of employees or workers in negotiations with their employers over benefits and working conditions or wages and salaries. On most occasions, labor unions are often industry-specific and tend to be more common in areas such as construction, mining, manufacturing, public sector and transportation (Smit, 2016). Smit (2016) further argues that labor unions are important as they engage in collective bargaining with employers in determining some important issues such as job security and work conditions, not forgetting their involvement in political activities on behalf of workers. Labor unions are a global phenomenon. It is tasking to find a country where labor unions do not exist. In Canada, labor unions are a common occurrence playing a number of significant roles worth noting. This article offers a deeper insight into the roles of labor unions, especially in Canada. The Role of Labor Unions Assessment Sample Essay
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Role of Labor Unions in Canada
Canada has always had labor unions since the 1800s. As mentioned earlier, a labor union is an organization that represents workers in their negotiations with employers on many aspects. On most occasions, they engage in collective bargaining with employees for purposes of determining and solving issues related to wages, worker security and terms or conditions of work (Cake, 2016).
In Canada, labor unions have been lauded as playing an active role in collective bargaining. The majority of workers across Canada, through democracy, can elect officials that are able to handle grievances that arise on the job. Through such, labor unions are created for purposes of demanding for workers? demands such as pay and wages in Canada. According to Godard (2007), such has been positive. Labor unions have been able to fight or champion for workers? pay across Canada to the extent of capturing the attention of the national government. The Role of Labor Unions Assessment Sample Essay
Closely relate to the above, labor unions in Canada play an active role in ensuring that workers, especially those working with manufacturing companies are compensated either in person in case of injuries or families if they die. For instance, a lot of people working in factories such as Chrysler, GM and Ford are unionized and assured of compensation in case they are faced with injuries or deaths, especially in their line of duty. In fact, a lot of manufacturing companies across Canada have the best insurance policies based on labor union demands (Cake, 2016).
Godard (2007) argues that in Canada, labor unions have also played an active role in politics with many of their demands directed towards the general concerns of workers. For instance, the Canadian Labor Congress (CLC) has always lobbied for the interests of workers across Canada, demanding for equal pay regardless of gender, age, race, religion and political affiliation among others. Moreover, without labor unions in Canada, union security would not be there. Based on the type of union security arrangements that is championed by labor unions, workers across Canada have been able to receive dues- in case of injuries or compensation to families based on their monthly payments to the union (Cake, 2016). The Role of Labor Unions Assessment Sample Essay
Merits/benefits and disadvantages of labour unions in Canada
Advantages
In Canada, the labor union was created by individuals standing together for purposes of fair wages, decent work hours and safe work environment among others. Each year, it has been common for the Canadian Labor Congress to release research indicating the some of the economic benefits or advantages of having unions at the work place (Vosko, 2006). A closer examination of the report leaves one with the impression that Canadian labour unions have certain advantages that cannot stand to be ignored.
To employees for instance, labor unions ensure that they experience job security as opposed to non-unionized employees. In addition, through such unions, employees have an opportunity of filing for grievances or complaints with their union representatives, who in turn take such grievances to their employers. On most occasions, many workers across Canada have benefited as a result of this (Lowe and Rastin, 2000). According to Smit, (2016), labor unions across Canada are meticulous when it comes to championing for decent work conditions. Majority of labor unions in Canada have hit news headlines for championing for safe and friendly work environments. The Role of Labor Unions Assessment Sample Essay
Labor unions across Canada have been known to be at the forefront fighting for steady worker benefits or raises. Here, issues such as health benefits, house allowance, transport and risk allowance have been negotiate on behalf of employees through union representatives to the employers. In addition, such unions have also worked on ensuring that workers get better retirement packages in addition to paid leaves when they are on holiday or otherwise (Smit, 2016).
It has been a common occurrence for some employees to be wrongfully dismissed from work based on a number of issues. In Canada, a lot of employees have complained of being wrongfully dismissed from their duties based on a number of reasons (Vosko, 2006). Thankfully, labour unions, on most occasions have come to their rescue. In Canada, labour unions spread out across all provinces have at one time or the other engaged with employers in court based on cases of wrongful dismissal of employees from work. Such cases have seen a good number of dismissed employees being awarded good compensation packages (Reitz and Verma, 2004). Simply put, labour unions in Canada protect the rights of workers against all forms of discrimination from the place of work.
Disadvantages of labour in Canada
Despite all the aforementioned benefits of labor unions in Canada, it appears that there are some demerits or disadvantages associated with labor unions in the country. Even though the disadvantages are comparatively low as compared to the benefits, it is however still important to note them. First of all, there have been cases where union representatives and the management of various organizations across Canada have failed to reach an agreement resulting into serious cases of strikes. This has often led to serious financial hardships to employees who fail to be compensated on periods that they were on strike (Reitz and Verma, 2004). The Role of Labor Unions Assessment Sample Essay
Secondly, it has been reported that employees who express their desire to return to work or make an attempt to cross picket lines have been subjected to social consequences, thereby causing a lot of harm on them. In addition, to both the management and employees, especially across a number of Canadian firms, labour unions have always been frustrating to the extent of causing chaos among them (Reitz and Verma, 2004).
According to Reitz and Verma (2004), another greatest disadvantage associated with labour unions in Canada is that aspects of seniority are common making the whole thing appear useless in the end. For instance, majority of industries across Canada that are rules by labor unions have to adhere to strict rules, especially when it pertains to instances of job promotions. On most occasions, the job is given to the employee who has served for the longest time possible with qualifications and skill not taken into account at times. The Role of Labor Unions Assessment Sample Essay
Conclusion
Workers would be in a bad position if labor unions were not there. Just like a democracy, labor unions have always worked on ensuring that the rights of workers or employees are protected. In Canada, labor unions have existed for close to two centuries now. Such unions have been important as they have played a number of significant roles that cannot be ignored. In Canada, labor unions have always and continue to play an active role in championing for workers? rights in terms of leaves, retirement benefits, increased wages, compensation for injuries and overtime payments among others. Without such unions in place, Majority of workers across Canada could find themselves going home without decent retirement packages. A lot more might have been wrongfully dismissed not forgetting how poor work conditions might have been without such bodies in the country.
References
Cake, S. (2016). Worker Movement as a union issue: An Examination of Collective Bargaining Agreements in the construction sector in Alberta, Canada. Canadian Journal of Sociology, 41 (3), 327-348.
Godard, J. (2007). Unions, Work Practices, and Wages Under Different Institutional Environments: The case of Canada and England. ILR Review, 60 (4), 457-476.
Lowe, G., & Rastin, S. (2000). Organizing the next generation: influences on young workers? willingness to join unions in Canada. British Journal of Industrial Relations, 38(2), 203-222.
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Reitz, J. G., & Verma, A. (2004). Immigration, race, and labor: Unionization and wages in the Canadian labor market. Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, 43(4), 835-854.
Smit, P. (2016). Role of Trade Union Movement to Improve Regional Labor Standards within SADC. Indian Journal of Industrial Relations, 51 (4), 517-530.
Vosko, L. F. (2006). Precarious employment: Understanding labour market insecurity in Canada. McGill-Queen?s Press-MQUP. The Role of Labor Unions Assessment Sample Essay
