Recently there has been an increase in unions taking place, leading some to wonder, what exactly is a union and why should we care? A labor union, or a trade union in some regions, is a way for workers to come together and address issues and improve the workplace by gathering together and negotiating wages and benefits, improving safety standards, establishing complaint procedures, and protecting and increasing the bargaining power of workers. Unions are often viewed as a tool to bring democracy to the workplace, providing employees with a voice and a role in shaping their working environment
Unions often use strikes as a tool in order to draw attention to their demands and concerns within the workplace. A strike involves employees collectively refusing to work, in order to allow the voices of workers to be heard. Strikes serve a dual purpose compelling employers to listen to workers’ requests while highlighting the importance of workers having a say in how they are treated.
Strikes also prevented companies from exploiting workers’ labor. Historically, during the Industrial Revolution workers would face harsh conditions and were often forced to work for meager wages and in unsafe environments. However, unions and their use of strikes helped ensure fair treatment and improved working conditions in today’s age.
Recent examples involving Unions such as the writers’ strike show that unions and strikes really do work for their workers. The writers’ strike lasted almost half a year and allowed the writers working in entertainment to be paid a better percentage of money so that they could live without having to worry about not being able to pay the bills. As well as allowing for more transparency with the company that employed them.
Due to the strike halting several movies and shows that were being worked on, a lot of stress was put on the companies to work with the unions. The impact it had on the entertainment industry as a whole got the attention of everyday people, who would go on to support the writers. The writers’ strike demonstrates that workers have a significant stake not only in their own workplace but also in the daily lives of others outside of their work.
In conclusion, unions are a necessary tool in order to protect the rights of workers and voice their opinions and concerns. Without unions, companies would be able to easily exploit and abuse their workers. Unions ensure fair treatment and bring balance to the way a company runs and operates.
