Overview of Labor Relations - Research Paper Example

? Labor Laws Introduction According to Bush (2009) procedural justice is the fairness of a procedure used to determine outcomes while distributive justice is the fairness of the outcomes themselves. Procedural fairness involves fairness and transparency in the process of solving disputes, and distributive justice involves how resources are allocated. Procedural justice is enhanced when individuals feel that they have contributed to the process, and biases has not been witnessed, while distributive justice means equal distribution of tangible resources such as pay, praise among others. Question 1 Employees’ dissatisfaction with their job gives rise to many serious problems for any organization. Dissatisfied employees can involve in counterproductive activities such as theft, poor service, and sabotage among others. Research has shown that when employees are not satisfied, they experience tension, depression, and complain of stiffness in muscles and joints. This indicates that companies that apply procedural justice and distributive justice promote job satisfaction among the employees. The workers become more dedicated and committed to their service rendering, because they feel appreciated, and acknowledged. One feels pleased when his or her job is praised. This makes the employee more determined than ever to deliver up to the maximum for the sake of the company. Through procedural and distribution justice workers acquire job satisfaction which gives them peace to work, and make the company grow. Research indicates that when workers are not satisfied, the company will experience a high turnover intention where workers will look for new jobs elsewhere, or others may think of quitting. Companies that apply both procedural and distributive justice are likely to maintain their staff. This promotes the company’s policies because good skills and professionalism is maintained. Cost of hiring workers after a short period is decreased, and the growth of the firm becomes a priority. Bush (2009) indicates that management should therefore, embrace organizational justice policies so as to increase job satisfaction, commitment and reduce turnover intention. A good rapport is experienced between the management and the subordinates, and unity among the employees themselves. The company becomes more of a community than just a working place. Workers feel identified with the organization they are working for, because animosity and hatred is not experienced. The use of justice creates a strong foundation of cooperation and serves as a base for a better environment for interaction. If workers are treated unfairly, their incentives will be hindered, and they may work against each other’s interest. This may result in to conflicts and unstable interdependence between the employees and management. Fear and intimidation replaces the confidence, eventually, affecting production. Justice therefore, influences performance, improves information sharing, personal relationships, and planning becomes more efficient and efficient. This confirms that procedural and distributive justice has a positive implication on the company policies. Question 2 Mother Jones was born on first August eighteen thirty seven in Cork Island. She learned the skills of dressmaking. Jones met and married George, and they had four children who later died of yellow fever. During this period, women led quiet lives, and were committed to their families, but Jones went everywhere she pleased expressing herself publicly, something that was not allowed thereafter becoming the mother of the down trodden. She was a prominent labor, and community organizer serving in the united mine workers union. Research indicates that being a good speaker, she made her speeches with stories, humor and audience participation. She organized mine workers, and their families against the mine owners. Fetherling (2010), suggest that in 1903, Jones led children who were working in mills, and mines to demonstrate, demanding to go to school, and not to work, and published child labor through the newspaper. She helped to organize the coal miners in Colorado, where she was arrested, and served some time in prison. However, this did not kill her dream of seeing a transformed labor force. She remained a union organizer and continued speaking union affairs. The trials and tribulations she went through did not intimidate her or make her quit, but she continued with the struggle against violence towards the trade unionists. Women called themselves ‘daughters of mother Jones’ in respect as an impact she had towards organized labor and residents participate in community service each week. A plaque has been erected in Jones city as respect to what she achieved. In 1970, the Mother Jones Magazine was established becoming the most popular magazine. The author indicates that Jones believed that only a powerful workers union could bring justice. She helped women in different ways and believed that working class women were better off to stay at home than be exploited. Jones helped workers to fight against low pay, company housing, and few working hours. She spoke out in defense of the union leaders, and activists that had been arrested. This shows how she believed that justice for any working people depended on how strong their families were. Good working conditions can build a strong family. This gave her the self drive to continue struggling to improve the lives workers. She was the famous, and great organizer for the united mine workers. Jones did not relent to any situation or challenge that came her way. She struggled until President Roosevelt came, and initiated reforms in the mines. Her strikes saw the fight against injustice, discrimination in work places, and even today men and women are still fighting to change it. This indicates that her struggle had a positive impact on organized labor. Question 3 Roth (2010) indicates that prisoners are employed in a variety of inmate work programs. They are engaged in manufacturing, computer, or telephone marketing services. It has been used as a form of cheap labor. States employ these prisoners on different terms. In California State, there is the prison industry association that regulates prison work programs in state funded prisons. These programs manufacture a variety of items such as furniture, eyeglasses, and clothing. Profits made from such products are used to finance the programs. In order to make much profit, the law in California requires all state agencies to buy their commodities from the prison industry offices. This is to encourage more production and eventually increase in profit. However, the security of the environment becomes a challenge. The high cost of security increases the cost of prison labor. Oregon State requires all prisoners to work more than forty hours a week. The prison blues company manufactures jeans, and employs prisoners to make these clothes and answers phones at the Oregon state. However, in Oregon a private company can hire a prisoner for three dollars a day. Labor in the prisons is not a bad idea. Prisoners are able to display their skills through this process. It helps them earn, and save some money, and for those, whom will go back to their families, shall not go empty-handed. It also breaks boredom for the prisoners who would have been idle. This engagement makes the prisoners productive members of the society. In South Carolina, the Escods’ prison based work assembles different electronic wires. They lay them out on big sheets of wood, tying the wires into bundles finishing them into electronic cables. The prisoners are organized into groups of five to twenty five workers. They perform their duties as a group. Their work involves arranging tools, and equipments required, and packing the finished products. In this center, prisoners are rewarded for their good work teams that finish their assignment on time are rewarded with fast lunch and dinner if the company achieves the set targets for a particular month. These incentives promote the morale of the prisoners enabling them to go an extra mile in rendering their services. This also improves the relationship of the prisoners, and the management. Prison work develops skill training which can assist in the rehabilitation program. This shows that this program should be encouraged so as to produce goods, and services that are specifically for government use. Conclusion The management should use methods that are comfortable with other partners in order to achieve its goals. The objectives should be reasonable, and realistic. Every organization should provide a good environment that is conducive for working. The law protects both the employee, and management. Negotiations should be done in the interest of both parties. Procedural and distributive justice has several fruits for workers, and administrators. It helps to create mutual understanding, respect of human rights, and party relationship. Tension in work places affects production and service delivery. Mary Jones remains an icon in the liberation of labor slavery. References Bush, D. (2009). Perceived Justice and Barriers and Facilitators to the Attainment of Leadership Positions. Manila: Proquest publishers. Fetherling, D. (2010). Mother Jones, The Miner’s Angel Illinois: SIU Publishers. Roth, M. (2010). Crime and Punishment: A History of the Criminal Justice System. New York, NY: Cengage Learning Publishers. Read More