Introduction
Modern employees face a number of challenges during a working process. Sometimes, they need a good motivation boost to achieve the desired goals, or they must work hard to show a voice and share their needs. In any of such situations, a union can be a solution to many problems. The process of organizing a union in a company has its rules and outcomes, and this paper aims to discuss the essence of a union creation with its steps, as well as well advantages and disadvantages of unionization for both employees and employers.
Union Organizing Process Essence
Despite the existing differences between workplaces and the needs of employers, the essence of a union remains the same. According to Mello (2015), it is elected to represent employees and their demands to an employer in an organized and informative way that is usually called a collective-bargaining agreement. The main goals of creating unions are the intentions to increase wages or, at least, promote a fair treatment, to raise living standards, and to distinguish benefits for workers and their families.
Steps in a Union Organizing Process
There are no strict requirements on how to create a union and what rules have to be followed precisely. However, a list of steps should be followed to make sure that an organizing process can work effectively. First, it is necessary for employees to get prepared. The needs and reasons for unionization should be properly identified and introduced. It is not enough to say that unfair treatment is the cause of why workers make a decision to unite their forces.
People should know their rights and combine them with their responsibilities. The next stage is to undertake a campaign with the frames of which union members should develop a list of their issues and inform employers about their intentions. A union can be certified upon the election when the date, time, and place details are legally recognized by the employer. Finally, a negotiation or bargaining can end the unionization process and prove the urgency and need of membership in a particular company.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Unionization for Employees and Employers
The benefits and threats of unionization for employees are not hard to recognize. In addition to the possibility to receive better benefits and higher wages, employees may improve the quality of their working conditions, promote funded retirement, and create successful negotiating conditions. At the same time, workers should be aware of certain challenges like the lack of education and practice, the presence of initiation fees, and the necessity to maintain a good reputation.
Employers, in their turn, can win a lot with unionized workers, including the possibility to have a stable workforce, predict costs, and spend less time to organize all the staff at the same time. Still, there is also a list of threats for employers because of the inability to foresee the level of employee creativity. It is not always easy to reward employees, and leaders have to realize how to appreciate such initiatives without considerably costs for a company. Finally, some employers admit that their business becomes less competitive with labor unions.
Conclusion
In today’s working environment, the role of unions cannot be neglected or underestimated. A union is a symbolic voice of an employee that can be recognized by an employer and promote the required bargaining negotiations. One should agree that unions are necessary for modern companies due to such features as employees’ advocating, ensuring, and motivating, as well as resolving working issues and creating new opportunities for individuals and a company as a whole.
Reference
Mello, J. A. (2015). Strategic human resource management (4th ed). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.