A brief overview of advantages and disadvantages of being a member of a labor union.

1. MODULE: MBALN-609
ORGANIZATIONS & HR MANAGEMENT
Assignment 5 - Informational Banner
By: Michel Kalemba Muanasaka
26 October-13 December 2015

2. The purpose of this Assignment is to create an informational banner that shows the advantages
and disadvantages of being a member in a labor union. Your banner should include information on
the following:
• Collective bargaining over wages, benefits and working conditions
• Violations of contract provisions
To do this, I simply make a collection of opinions that one can find through several documents on
the internet, and that will be structured as follows:
1. Introduction
2. Advantages of being a member in a labor union
3. Disadvantages of being a member in a labor union
4. References
1. Introduction
Among several types of associations where workers and employers are working hand-in-hand to
improve the accessibility of their business to the public, one of the most common associations that
is gaining the highest reputation all over the world is the labor union [1].
During a time when wages were low, hours were long and safety regulations were virtually non-
existent, employees organized to address these issues. Unions enabled workers to gain input and
decision-making power where management once held universal authority; however, in the 21st
century workforce, unions have become more of a luxury than a necessity. While the advantages
remain, unions also can pose a problem for employees and managers alike [2].
2. Advantages of being a member in a labor union
1. Acquisition of better wages and Accessibility to Benefits
People would be given greater chances to have better wages depending on the type of work they
have [1]. The median weekly income of full-time wage and salary workers who were union
members in 2010 was $917, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For nonunion
workers, it was $717 [3]. Some 93% of unionized workers were entitled to medical benefits
compared to 69% of their nonunion peers, according to the National Compensation Survey
published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The survey represented about 101 million private
industry workers and 19 million state and local government employees [3].
Workers who are going to join a labor union and fight for their right are always given the right to
have their working benefits. This may include medical benefits and all others that is suited and
really intended for them [1].
2. Securing Jobs
As part of the labor union, people are assured that their job would be secured whatever happens
[1].
Nonunion employees are typically hired "at will," meaning they can be fired for no reason.
However, workers with union jobs can only be terminated for "just cause," and the misconduct

3. must be serious enough to merit such action. Before an employee can actually be fired, he or she
can go through a grievance procedure, and if necessary, arbitration [3].
"If I know I can't be easily fired, I can speak up more freely," says Monica Bielski Boris, assistant
professor of labor and employment relations at the University of Illinois [3].
3. Strength In Numbers
If you are going to get involved with this labor union, you will be assured that you are going to get
what you are aiming for[1].
Unionized workers have more power as a cohesive group than by acting individually. "What you
gain is the muscle of collective action," says Hoyt Wheeler, a professor emeritus at the University
of South Carolina who is now a labor arbitrator. Through collective bargaining, workers negotiate
wages, health and safety issues, benefits, and working conditions with management via their union
[3]
4. Seniority.
Rules differ among collective bargaining agreements, but in the event of layoffs, employers usually
are required to dismiss the most recent hires first and those with the most seniority last --
sometimes called "last hired, first fired." [3]
In some cases, a worker with a union job who has more seniority may receive preference for an
open job. Seniority also can be a factor in determining who gets a promotion. The idea is that
seniority eliminates favoritism in the workplace [3].
5. Teamwork
Membership in a union can give members of a work force a common bond that will extend further
than if they simply worked together. A small business that is seeking to establish strong loyalty and
teamwork in its workplace might find a union advantageous for this reason. Unions are often
effective at creating a shared sense of identity in their memberships. If the partnership with a
business is strong, this can increase loyalty and motivation [4].
3. Disadvantages of being a member in a labor union
1. Loss of Personal Autonomy
Since more workers are already relying on the labor union, they can no longer work individually.
There are instances that you are no longer with the labor unions decisions but still you cannot work
on your own since you are always bound in them[1]. Employees and management may no longer
be able to discuss matters informally and individually [5]. Union members sacrifice individuality by
belonging to a group. You may disagree with the union's decisions, but you are bound by them [2].
2. Union Dues
There are union dues implemented by labor union that need to be paid by the workers in order to
be raised for their associations’ improvement. But for workers who cannot pay for these dues, the

4. labor union would be holding them and they will not be given the chance to be promoted to higher
working positions as the payments for not paying the required dues they intend to pay [1].
Dues can range from $200 to several hundred dollars per year, partially offsetting higher wages.
Some unions also require a one-time initiation fee. Dues help the union pay for officials' salaries
and conducting union business, but members sometimes complain about the amount they pay,
how the money is spent, and how it is allocated [2].
3. Job Loss
Since there are also some labor unions which are not continuously improving, more workers would
be exposed to unemployment since the association is already getting slow and declining [1].
Labor unions play an important role in people’s life since they are giving the people the chance to
land a job and at the same time fight for the valuable right that they deserve. Although there are
some instances that this association are seen to be disadvantageous in some ways, more people
are still joining the association since they are more of the benefits that these are providing to them
[1].
4. Less collaborative work environment
Unionized workers experience less of a sense of partnership and trust with their supervisors [2].
"The political climate can often turn against unions and their members," Bielski Boris says. The
political attacks, combined with declining membership rolls, could weaken gains made by
unionized employees [2].
5. Seniority
The advantages that seniority provides can be a detriment to newer employees. You may be more
productive or talented than a veteran worker, yet you're the one who likely will be laid off in a
downsizing. A union's collective bargaining agreement also may require employers to provide other
perks based on seniority rather than merit to the detriment of junior workers with union jobs. Some
agreements enable a worker displaced from a job to "bump" another worker with less seniority and
take his or her job [2].
Wheeler, the labor arbitrator, understands the pros and cons of being a union member better than
most. "On balance, I think workers are better off with a union than without one, by far," he says [2].
6. From the employer’s perspective:
While unions provide many benefits for workers, they create a variety of disadvantages for
employers, including strict federal labor laws governing the rights of employers in relation to
unions. Understanding some of the disadvantages of union for employers will help you avoid
conflicts and work better with an organized workforce [6].
Strikes
If you do not agree to the wage, benefits or workplace rules requested by union members, they are
legally allowed to strike. Federal laws limit your ability to fire striking workers. A strike not only
costs you money directly from lost production, but causes other problems, as well [6].

5. More Lawsuits and Arbitrations
With an organized labor force, you are likely to face more challenges to actions you take regarding
an employee’s status. While individual employees might not have the financial resources or will to
contest such things as a termination, a demotion, a lack of promotion, or alleged harassment or
discrimination, a union worker may be encouraged to file a suit or appeal your actions, and may be
offered union support to do so [6].
Extra Accounting
If union members pay dues, they can request that those dues be deducted from their paychecks,
adding an extra task for your accounting department. After you deduct the dues from employees'
paychecks, you must then disburse the funds to the appropriate union account [6].
4. References
[1] Advantages and Disadvantages of Labor Unions, 20 May, 2014,
http://occupytheory.org/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-labor-unions/
[2] Advantages & Disadvantage of Labor Unions, by Alex Saez,
http://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/advantages-disadvantage-labor-unions-3553.html
[3] The Pros and Cons of Joining a Labor Union, By Larry Keller,
http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/04/10/pros-and-cons-joining-labor-union/
[4] What Are the Disadvantages & Advantages of a Union in a Workplace? by Casey Reader,
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/disadvantages-advantages-union-workplace-13019.html
[5] Organizations & Human Resources Management Module
[6] The Disadvantages of Union Membership From an Employer's Perspective, by Sam Ashe-
Edmunds, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/disadvantages-union-membership-employers-
perspective-33242.html
[7] 9 Disadvantages and Advantages of Labor Unions, http://thenextgalaxy.com/9disadvantages-
and-advantages-of-labor-unions/