Answer to Question #240655 in Management for Graylin Lapi

Question

Discuss how unions should manage and mitigate the declining trend. Use relevant examples from your country or any South Pacific Island Country to explain and support your answer. 

Answer 1

Unions

A union is a group of employees that come together to advocate for better working conditions and pay for their coworkers. When two or more things come together and become one, they form a union. Unions in South Africa can employ a range of strategies to halt and reverse the downward trend. There is an established collective bargaining system. Collective bargaining is at the heart of a union's existence and character. Collective bargaining happens when a group of individuals, such as employees of a business, band together to strengthen their bargaining position. For example, a single employee may believe that a new safety precaution should be applied in his factory, but he may have limited ability to convince the corporation. If the entire staff is made aware of the importance of the new policy and joins forces to pressure the corporation to execute it, the likelihood of the corporation complying is significantly increased. Unions bring employees together by allowing individual workers' ideas to be heard and incorporated into the union's overarching aim. In most cases, unionized workers pick representatives to bring their concerns to the attention of the union (Freeman & Medoff, 2011).

Additionally, there is the issue of worker safety to consider. Employers invest more in training and equipment as prices increase, which boosts workplace morale and productivity. When employees are treated well, everyone benefits. Organized union battle with business is unavoidable. When employees, on the other hand, are considered as disposable, businesses may be less concerned with their safety (Freeman & Medoff, 2011). If there is no union representation, employees may be without someone to advocate for them with management on safety matters. The necessity for collaboration becomes increasingly apparent as organizations become more organized. Businesses acknowledge that by increasing training, upgrading equipment, and maximizing the effectiveness of their expertise, they can increase the safety, productivity, and success of a stable staff. Employers' responsibility to be responsive to customers and competitive in their marketplaces is increasingly recognized by unions. In some industries, marketing may benefit from a company story that includes union members and appropriate compensation (Freeman & Medoff, 2011).

There are opportunities for higher-paying occupations available. One of the most significant perks of union membership is that you will earn more money than non-union workers. When compared to non-unionized workers in comparable jobs, union members earn around 20% more (not including benefits). Additionally, unionized workers are more likely to receive frequent pay hikes (Freeman & Medoff, 2011). This is the result of collective bargaining between the union and the employer, which culminates in a contract with established salary and wage specifications. Without a formal negotiation mechanism or employee input, the employer can decide compensation in a non-union employment.

Reference

Freeman, R. B., & Medoff, J. L. (2011). What do union’s do.Indus. & Lab. Rel. Rev., 38, 244.