Pros of Joining a Labour Union

Pros of Joining a Labour Union

* Collective bargaining agreement – Joining a labour Union gives the employees the advantage of having one voice that can negotiate for a collective bargain on members' wages, benefits, leave days, and complaint handling.
* Voice is heard – Similarly, within a Union, the leaders can make the employees voices heard in stakeholder meetings, to the board of directors, and industry regulators.
* Higher wages – With a Union, an employee can get higher than industry standard wages. The Union can negotiate on an advantageous ground and present the employees' needs better.
* Job security – With a Union, the employer, must reconsider a harsh decision to fire their employee. A process must be followed where the employee is allowed to present their case with the help of the Union to prevent unfair interdictions.
* Support – With a Union, employees tend to have welfare to support members. Annually the members contribute to cushion employees in case of medical emergencies, legal challenges, or project funding.
Cons of joining a labour Union
* Contributions to handle running costs - Joining a labour Union requires its members to pay a joining fee and further a monthly donation to pay its workers and leaders.
* Workplace tension - Sometimes, being in a very active and contentious Union creates constant pressure in the workplace and back and forth threats from employers and Union leaders alike.
* Low productivity – If the labour Union's needs are not met, the workers engage in legal and sometimes illegal action, which can drag on for months. During these months, the company sees low to no productivity, which can eventually lead to the closure of the company.
* Slow adoption of better technology - The Unions are always against new and better technologies that would replace their members. While this is a good thing for the employees, it is not suitable for a company's advancement and increase in profitability. A company's profitability increases lead to expansion, better products, and services for the customers.
Question 2
1 What is an illegal strike/job action?
Illegal strikes are the situation where employees stop working and walk out on the collective bargaining action table. At the same time, the employer is interested, willing, and ready to do all that they can to make the employees' situation better. The walkout leads to a loss of service that is not acceptable.
2 Provide and explain at least two examples of illegal job action.
The first example is when the employer has provided satisfactory responses to the Union and the Ministry of Labor Relations Board, but the Union votes to proceed with a strike. The second is when the employees are not unionized, and the employer recognizes another Union. In this case, the employees have no right to legal job action.
3 What are the steps that must be satisfied to make job action legal?
The first step is for the employees to have a registered and recognized Union. Secondly, the Union and the employer must have a collective bargaining agreement. Finally, the labour code must be adhered to before a strike begins; these include a formal application to the regional Ministry of Labor board regarding a job action. Further, it should be followed by the board trying to mediate the situation between the Union and the employer without success.
4 Where is picketing lawfully allowed?
This depends on the jurisdiction, and if the employer has broken the code, the employees are allowed to picket if they do not engage customers and interfere with goods, property, or services provided.
5 Why did the union strike? Explain why they are allowed to strike legally.
The Union went on strike because CMBC rejected a 6 percent pay increase fronted by the Union. The Union is allowed to strike since they have followed the Code requirements for having a collective bargaining agreement and Union.
6 What are the main issues for the Union in forming a new collective agreement?
The main issues include a 6 percent pay increase, an increase in bus operator breaks, washroom breaks, an increase in wages for all categories, compensation for executives, and overtime consideration due to unscheduled events.
Question 3
Identify at least three challenges ...