Question

I need a discussion response to the following peers discussion post

. Workers in many occupations want a stronger voice in the workplace and there is increasing recognition that this is a fundamental human right. Do you believe that voice in the workplace is fundamental human right? Why or why not?

Ans: Yes, I do believe that having a voice in the workplace is a fundamental human right. As stated in our text on (p.5) that the objectives of labor relations is based on a relationship of efficiency, equity and voice. Efficiency is stated as the productive, profit-maximizing use of labor to promote economic prosperity; equity is the fairness in the distribution of economic rewards, the administration of employment policies, and the provision of employee security; and voice is the ability of all employees to have meaningful input into workplace decision.

2. Do you think unions are still relevant today? Why or why not?

Ans: Yes, I do think that unions are still relevant in this era. Unions enable working people to make our workplace safer and to negotiate just wages and working conditions. Unions are how working people can earn a good living and have a better life. As stated in our text on (p. 29) some of the critical issues in our human resources, such as low wage workers trying to move out of poverty and support families, significant labor market disparities and the need to educate individuals as lifelong learners because of ever-changing technologies. A lot of problems still exist in this era which makes still having a union relevant today.

3. Has union membership increased or decreased since World War 2 in the U.S.? Why do you think that is?

Ans: Union membership made an enormous increased during the World War II era. It is believe that the peak of union activity in the U.S. was around 1970 and there has been a slow decline ever since. As shown in our text on (p. 428) the union density has fallen by 11% with key features including exclusive representation, business unionism and detailed contracts.

Reference

John W. Budd ( 5th edition) Labor Relations, Striking a Balance

Answer 1

1. Yes, it's right that voice in the workplace is a fundamental human right. There are many good & bad happenings in the workplace. If the workers have no voice against the bad happenings or they don't express their opinion for something then they might face problems. As a citizen of the country everybody has the right to express their opinion. To make a work place healthy and dispute free everybody should speak about the irregularities. Voice is the strength of every employee to reach a desired goal in workplace and also it is the identity of a person.

2. Yes, i agree that unions are relevant today. Unions guide the workers to maintain a healthy and safe environment in our workplace. Unions help to negotiate wages and working conditions. They also help working people to earn a good wage and lead a better life. A union acts as a communicative agent between employer and employee. It helps to sort out all issues regarding employment of workers. So we can say that unions have a very significant role in the workplace.

3. Union membership has increased during the World War II. But after 1970 there has been a slow decline. American workers now perceive that the unions are a problem not a solution. It's so because of the following reasons:

a) Unions often considered as irrelevant. It is so because workers don't think of unions when they have increased wages and benefits. Similarly, during depression the unions can't help their members from lay offs, wage reductions and strict working conditions. So unions proved as irrelevant.

b) Unions have a bad public appearance. In past labour racketeering, mob influence and trials of union officials for bribery are common on news. Employers are often found to stand against the unions.

3) Most Americans now move to govt. not to unions, for workplace & job related protections.

Due to these factors union membership has declined.