American Labor System - Essay Example

? AMERICAN LABOR SYSTEM Almost 70% of the world’s population works as laborers in various fields, industries, organizations and factories. They work on the ideal of ‘mutual benefits through joint efforts to earn bread for their families and to survive in this world. They sell their services and loyalities to their employers expecting wages, shelter and the acknowledgement of few other basic rights in return (Gould, 1996). A labor community comprises of a big portion of a social class consisting of those who do physical and manual work for salary. Thus, laborers are actually the real workers and builders who are at the back of every successful industry and organization. The origin of this occupation can be dated back to the dawn of civilization when man had to subordinate high class individuals to win food and security. Today a laborer expects much more than this: salary, shelter, security, respect, acknwoledgement, comfortability and assurance. Though these ideals are appreciated by all, they are found quite rare even in the developed and civilized countries as America (Kirkegaard, 2007). Struggling against its prior notority of ‘slave labor’ and ‘child labor’, this state has still a long way to go to get an ideal life for laborers and workers. Hundreds of unions and movements raising voices for the rights, demands and needs of the common laborers are emerging and actively working in United States of America, but still the condition of laborers is not much healthier (Hill, 1985). The most voiced complain against American labor system is the offering of lower wages and lesser facilities in return of much harder work and long working hours. These poor souls receive no sympathy from the side of employers and administrators, and they are treated rather like animals (Fletcher & Gapasin, 2008). They receive poor pay back for their tiring efforts and have to pay fine in the form of deduction from the expected salary for any mistake. They are deprived of basic rights related to humanly respect, empathy and acknowledgement, and their coordinators even regard them no more than mere machines who are not supposed to cater any emotions and feelings at all and whose function is just to run and produce. The working conditions are even not much better for the workers and laborers. Unhygenic environment, stinking smells of the materials and chemicals, over-crowded working places, deafening noises of the machineries, poorly lit working halls as well as long hours of duty are causing much distress and frustrations among this community ("Inter-american labor system," 1975). Their problems are not catered and their complaints are not paid heed to. The economic crisis and the ever rising inflation throughout the world have also affected this community a lot and many of the workers are persuaded to opt for double shifts and part-time jobs, as a result of which their physical and mental healths are at stake. To fight against all these problems and to bridge the gap between the lower workers and the higher communities, American Labour Movement was started and laborer unions were formed (Dubofsky & Van Tine, 1987). This concept got its strength in the late nineteenth century, probably in 1866, and today it has got a much organized form. The workers of a factory select a representative among themselves by mutual consent who is considered to be responsible for conveying the messages and demands between the workers and the employers (Sheldon, 1947). The world politics has not spared it and today laborer union is regarded as a possible and most alarming threat against an industry. Other than holding strikes and causing troubles for the administrators, these representative groups are charged of demanding unfairly. According to the assisstant manager of a local firm, “Sometimes the union leaders cross the legal lines and demand for more than their rights. Obviously, the company cannot encourage such attitude that often erects hurdles for progress”. On the other hand, the union representatives claim that these coordiators do not allow even their rightful claims to reach to the authorities. Such a situation creates disharmony among the organization and affects the business. In United States of America, the labor system, or rather the labor union system seems to be much stronger than any other part of the world. Though the peace regulatory authorities are much efficient here than underdeveloped countries, the labor union certainly can cause a havoc if it really wants to. The efficiency as well as the need of this sort of a particular and solid system complies with the fact that above fifty percent of the laborers working in America are either migrants or foreigners (Gould, 2004). They are usually hired by the companies from various parts of the world on relatively cheap wages and they certainly are not in a position in which they can cause much trouble as the continuity of their stay in the States depends upon the appraisal report of their employers (Rabinowitz, 2002). Thus, the organizations sometimes become more prone to opression than taking care of the needs of their employees. In such a situation, only a strong and united labor union can fight for the right demands and benefits of the workers. According to Mr. Davis, union leader of a factory, the migrants are most affected by the employers’ exploitations. Their whole life depends upon their career as their families endure to send them away to earn (Lawler, & O'Tool, 2008). This vulnerability can be manipulated by the employers; therefore a union trusty ensures to take care of the problems of such workers with great concern. Thus, labor movement is able to manage security of its laborers from any sort of manipulations and exploitations from the employers, and even from the government. However, this ‘labor union system’ is not entirely biased and negativity prone now. Even though the Labor Movement had created hostility from both the government and the community, they both regarded unions as aggressive, lawless and uncontrolled, and the government had exerted might to organize the unions displaying their scorn for the scrutiny and deeds of these groups. For example, when the Pullman strike ended, the public swiftly forgot about the labor humiliations, but managers and the government are even now watchful as to how far protesters could go. Though the Labor Unions are still strong to put vigorous fights but they have learned from what went wrong before and they no longer use vicious behavior as a negotiation trick. This fact is quite obvious from peaceful labor union protestations against Obama’s Free Trade Policy. They have not held a strike against the government and factories; rather they are calmly conveying their petitions and objections to the President. According to some revolutionary-minded employers, they find labor union really helpful as they can deal with the laborers on a more intimate level. They are reached for everything directly and in this way they can ensure better productivity by winning the trust of their laborers. However, this is not the end of the story of these poor souls. Wells (1922) believed that there are still many challenges faced by the work force of America including higher intensity of anxiety, unease and exhaustion resulting from the downsizing of business sector, ever-increasing inflation, and shortfalls in trade, and reduced “genuine” income, which has turned the 40 hours per week close to 60 hours per week for countless American personnel with elevated lifestyle commitments. Since 1998, millions of industrialized posts have been vanished owing to the increase of low-priced and economical imports, and the United States companies’ failure to sell goods overseas, which has intensified the trade arrears (Hardin, 2001). The cosmopolitan and international organizations searching for jobs out of the country, in the pursuit for cheaper employment expenses has strained American workforce to agree to lower take-home pay and has produced a vendor’s souk for employers of personnel with advanced education. Stratification of the laborers has caused a gap amid low-paying trade and once-over recruits and highly paid experts. Will unions unite their forces to perk up earnings and salary, and working environment, or will American labor stay marginal in this time of global corporation with profound pockets? Will unions be able to create cozy environments for their laborers or will they pay more heed to employers for personal benefits? The future of laborers in America depends upon the answers to these questions. Governments’ next strategy to deal with the laborers and their unions needs to be carefully designed because now the American laborers have also become tactful and careful. In short, American labor system has undergone various changes since 1775. The labor movement has brought the real change in the earlier subdued conditions of the laborers, and has given them a platform to raise their voices against the exploitations and unjust dealings of the management. Though still there are many problems for them, they are working in relatively much better environment. The need of the hour is the vigilant analysis of the conditions of those industries where the rights of the workers are still undermined. Also the unions should be kept under vigilant watch to avoid any lawless and violent behavior. References: Dubofsky, M, & Van Tine, W. R. (1987). Labor leaders in u588887America. Illinois: University of Illinois Press. Fletcher, B, & Gapasin, F. (2008). Solidarity divided: the crisis in organized labor and a new path toward social justice. California: University of California Press. General Secretariat, Inter-American Economic and Social Council. Permanent Technical Committee on Labor Matters, Inter-American Economic and Social Council. Trade Union Technical Advisory Council, Organization of American States. (1975). Inter-american labor system: compendium of the recommendation and resolutions of the inter-american conferences of ministers of labor, the permanent technical committee on labor matters (cotpal), and the trade union technical advisory council (cosate). New York: General Secretariat of the Organization of American States. Gould, W. B. (2004). A primer on American labor law. Massachusetts: The MIT Press. Gould, W. B. (1996). Agenda for reform: the future of employment relationships and the law. Massachusetts: The MIT Press. Hardin, P. (2001). The developing labor law: the board, the courts, and the national labor relations act. Canada: BNA Books (Bureau of National Affairs). Hill, H. (1985). Black labor and the American legal system: race, work, and the law. Chicago: University of Wisconsin Pr. Kirkegaard, J. F. (2007). The accelerating decline in America’s high-skilled workforce: implications for immigration policy. Washington, DC: Peterson Institute. Lawler, E. E., & O'Tool, J. (2008). America at work: choices and challenges. Hampshire: Palgrave MacMillan. Rabinowitz, R, S. (2002). Occupational safety and health law. Canada: Bna Books. Sheldon, P. (1947). History of the labor movement in the united states. New York: International Publishers Co. Wells, L. R. (1922). Industrial history of the united states. New York: The Macmillan company. Read More