by Kristoferjaemz

Created on: March 09, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2007

Before you make assumptions about the purpose, functionality and "worthiness" of a labor union, perform a bit of research on the topic. I was employed at a non union job where I made minimal amounts of money for excessive work. I worked two separate positions within the company and often put in work weeks of 70+ hours without being paid any overtime, as the time was split between two crafts and my superior would make sure I never exceeded 40 hours a week in either position. The job was fun and challenging, but ultimately not worth my time.

Since then I have joined a labor union and have almost tripled my income in two years. If it were not for the protection of the union, the company would walk all over its employees demanding absurd hours, unlimited availability to the company, and a significantly lower pay scale.

Even though there are laws in effect to "protect" employees from their employers, they are often of little consequence. Employers learn to exploit the laws by finding loopholes, such as when I was working 70+ hours a week and not afforded any overtime pay. When the employer does break a law, it often costs more to hire a lawyer to pursue the infraction than what the actual infraction is worth to the employee. In addition, there is the headache of dealing with the court system and all the time and paperwork involved in such a case. Unions have a structure in place that provides these services for the employee to ensure that the company abides by the laws and agreements in effect.

In addition to providing employees with protection on the company level, unions also provide a lobbying power in congress. Obviously, a workers career is subject to the laws in place affecting what the employers are allowed or are not allowed to do. Unions provide a platform for laws effecting pay, safety, and job security. When a union is able to effectively lobby in congress, workers are saved from such disasters like the loss of pensions, outsourcing and local work being shipped overseas.

Unions are a necessary and beneficial entity that not only protect the workers in a company, but the consumer and company itself as well. Unions ensure that a company keeps up with certain standards ensuring quality and consistency in all their products and services.

Before you take a stand against unions, take some time to investigate the workings of the unions and the companies in which they are present. You may be surprised to find out that they are not lazy, inefficient bodies collecting paychecks but rather an organization beneficial to society as a whole.

Learn more about this author, Kristoferjaemz.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.