The article “Why unions are good for workers—especially in a crisis like COVID-19” highlights the importance of labor unions during economic hardships. Although many people have lost their jobs during the ongoing pandemic, the article notes that non-union workers were disproportionately affected. The service industry experienced the most structural changes, leading to job cuts and wage reductions. The majority of the workers in this industry are low-wage non-union workers. They do not have the bargaining power to negotiate with their employers. For instance, some workers were not provided with protective gear and could not access paid sick leave when they became sick (McNicholas et al., 2020). On the other hand, union workers obtained additional pay, job security, and health and safety protection during the pandemic. Being a member of a union cushions employees from adverse conditions. However, most workers do not join unions because employers make it difficult for them to do so. For instance, Amazon fired one of the employees who led protests against working conditions. Employers also frustrate employees who attempt to organize by using technically legal intimidation tactics.
Aside from highlighting the plight of workers and the benefits of unionizing, the article also suggests several strategies for improving workers’ capacity to bargain. One of the proposals is to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act). Some of the provisions of the Act include introducing penalties for officials who prevent employees from unionizing and strengthening measures against companies that illegally fire workers when they try to form a union (McNicholas et al., 2020). Many of the other suggestions given by the article pertain to the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA Act). For example, the authors propose that NLRA should stipulate that employers are responsible for the health and safety of their employees when at work (McNicholas et al., 2020). Another amendment that should be made to the NLRA is to protect workers’ speech and allow them to speak about working conditions without fear of retribution. In summary, although unions are beneficial to workers, not all employees can join them because of the obstacles created by employers. There are, however, measures that can be taken to reinforce workers’ bargaining rights.
The selected article is related to the assigned topic in human resource management. The assignment topic was the role of unions in wages and salaries. The article analyzes how salaries and working conditions have been impacted by the pandemic. The writers explain that the pandemic has disproportionately affected non-union workers in comparison with those in unions. The article also explains in great detail the role of unions in negotiating salaries, wages, and other perks for employees. Since the source discusses the union’s role in wages and salary, it is relevant to the topic.
The article chosen explains that even before the pandemic, unionization was beneficial for employees. For example, unionized workers earned approximately 11.2% more than their non-union counterparts (McNicholas et al., 2020). The benefits of joining a union are more pronounced for Black and Hispanic workers. Joining a union also helps workers of color to reduce the wage gap created by the difference in the race. Overall, there are numerous advantages of wages and salaries that are tied to being a member of a union. The article adequately illustrates that unions have an important role in the wages and salaries paid to salaries, before and during the pandemic, which is relevant to the assigned topic.
I agree with the authors of this article because I think unions provide innumerable benefits to employees. When workers form a union, they increase their collective bargaining power. Employers are more likely to listen to the voice of workers when these workers speak in unison and are protected by labor laws such as PRO Act. Unionized workers wield more power than those operating independently. However, I also acknowledge that joining a union is not simple. Given the benefits of unions to employees, it is easy to understand why many employers strongly oppose them. Strengthening employee rights weakens employers’ capacity to suppress organization and bargaining rights. For instance, Amazon and McDonald’s are some of the biggest companies in the world, yet they strongly oppose and even penalize unionization because of their unfair labor practices. These companies increase their earnings by oppressing employees and paying them low wages and salaries. Nevertheless, employees must be empowered to fight for fair wages and safe working conditions.
The knowledge of how unions impact salaries and wages will apply to my future career in human resource management. I will advise my employers to allow employees to form or join unions. Employers should not restrict the collective bargaining rights of employees. Instead, they should actively listen to complaints raised by employees. For instance, it would be unethical for a company to decline employees’ requests for the provision of necessary protective gear. Employers should also provide fair wages and salaries to prevent strike action. As an HR manager, I would support workers who wish to unionize. Most people assume that human resource managers protect the interests of the employer. However, it is also essential to safeguard the needs of the employees to ensure they are content with their working terms and conditions, thereby increasing efficiency.
Reference
McNicholas, C., Rhinehart, L., Poydock, M., Shierholz, H., & Perez, D. (2020). Why unions are good for workers—especially in a crisis like COVID-19. Economic Policy Institute. Web.