In the given discussion, the main subject will revolve around the notion of unionization itself and its effects on both workers and society in general. The selected article is a research article called “Wage Effects of Unionization and Occupational Licensing Coverage in the United States” by Gittleman and Kleiner (2016), where they analyze and discuss how wages change under unionization, which was declining in the US for past decades, and occupational licensing, which was becoming a replacement for union-derived benefits for employees. The findings suggest that unionization is far more effective at reducing wage inequality and ensuring better working conditions for workers. It is stated: “our estimates of the economic returns to union coverage are greater than those for licensing coverage. Moreover, unions also reduce wage inequality, in contrast to occupational licensing” (Gittleman & Kleiner, 2016, p. 170). In other words, Amazon’s case can result in major shifts in American socioeconomic issues, where wealth inequality is becoming a more and more serious problem. The latter issue was the main selling point of senator Bernie Sanders, and many other prominent politicians raised this issue in the last years.
It is important to note that despite the non-absolute participation of trade unions in the local self-government, these provisions of a potential change or even the law makes it possible to talk about the unique opportunity of trade unions to come up with rule-making proposals and take into account their views. It is not covered by the statutory trade union activities based on social partnership. This makes it possible to expand the range of subjects that can influence public authority at the municipal level since trade unions are an additional institution of citizens’ participation in the implementation of local self-government, not covered, in particular, by the institution of citizens’ law-making initiative.
Reference
Gittleman, M., & Kleiner, M. M. (2016). Wage effects of unionization and occupational licensing coverage in the United States.ILR Review, 69(1), 142–172. Web.