The future of unions in the United States - Research Paper Example

? Number] The Future of Labor Unions in United s Labor unions are legal and recognized representatives of the workers in different industries. Throughout the history of United States, there are different labor unions formed for the workers of different industries and sectors however, the labor unions found among the public sector employees like the police and the teachers are most prominent among all the labor unions. Historically the labor unions have played important role for the protection of the employee rights and right from the beginning people used to favor as well as oppose the labor unions in the companies. However, recently they have been experiencing major decline in their membership due to which there is high level of uncertainty in the country regarding the future of the labor unions in United States (Goldfield, 92). The labor Unions in America have seen many difficulties in terms of the membership however despite all difficulties the labor union never faced such a fall in the membership after the year 1932 that these are facing in the recent years especially in the private service sector. According to the estimates the membership of the US labor Unions in the private sector has dropped almost 9 percent in the recent years that shows that the workers are now less interested in joining the labor unions or taking any active part in the strike activities organized by the labor unions. Each New Year there is increasing decline in the rate of the membership in the labor union, which shows that there is little hope of interest from employees in the labor unions. Currently only 11.9% of the wages and salary workers are member of the labor union that shows massive decline in the membership of these unions (Sano, Joelle and John, 499). The future of the labor unions in United States is closely linked with their membership. The decline in the membership is an important point of concerns for the people that are associated and related in some ways with the labor unions. There are many reasons that account for the decline in this membership but apart from the reasons, the effects of this decline are having major impact on the future of the labor unions. This decline in the membership is a clear signal that the employees have no more faith and interest in the labor unions. Hence, the actual people for whom the organizations are meant for are not interested in the labor unions that how the existence of these organizations could be justified. The twenty first century has brought new challenges for the people and organizations all over the world and just like all other sectors, the corporate sector is also in the phase of restructuring. There are some inevitable changes that must be adopted by the people associated with the corporate sector. The advancement in the technology paves many new ways for the companies. In order to conduct their operation the business owners now have many more options ad compared with the past. In the emerging situation the companies are able to perform a variety of their business activities with the help of the technological devices and as a result they don’t need that much human work force as they required in past. The introduction of advanced machinery and other advanced tool not only saves them time but also cost of production. In this context, the work force availability has become easy for the employers because more people look for jobs and the employers can pick from the interested candidates on their own terms and conditions (Goldfield, 92). The advancement in the technology has significantly contributed towards the diversion of the attention of the employees towards the other issues. At present, the employees of USA are more concerned towards getting high education and technology based knowledge and skills. The workers focus on these things so that they can keep them update with the advancements occurring around them and can acquire better working conditions through their performance and skills. This thought reflect that the scope of the labor unions in USA is not as bright as it was before because the people are not less interested in getting involve with the labor unions to get high wages and better working conditions. The labor unions are the power that can stop the employers to exploit the rights of the employees. In the history of US, there are many examples where the labor unions raise voice against the poor conditions of the workers and as a result, the owners have to take the decision of improving the labor conditions. Therefore, the labor unions can serve as a significant tool that can urge the owners and supervisors to improve the working conditions of the employees (Hoyt, p143). It also an important point to notice here that the workers of today are facing different issues in front of them as compared with the problems of the workers of the past and these issues are even more challenging for the employees as well as for the labor unions. Thus, it is very necessary that the labor unions must realize a fact that they need to be more enthusiastic and devoted in the current situation because they have to put on more refined and qualitative efforts in the technology driven world of today to help the employees in gaining better at their work places (Sano, Joelle and John, 499). The refined concept of human resource management is also catching the attention of the people at the both side. The business management is now well aware of the fact that in order to maximize the productivity of the employees they have to adopt the strategies that can bring higher level of satisfaction and motivation among the employees. On the other side, the employees are also enjoying the strategies of the employers meant for their better management. As a result, there is overall improvement in the relations of the employees and the employers. In this new situation, the traditional concept of the employers of being a cold-hearted people aimed at exploiting the employees is changing. The business owners are now building their images as the managers of the work force and the organization. The business owners now show that work for the interest of the both the business and the people working for the business. The labor unions in United States are facing the era of crisis and there is need of taking some revolutionary steps by the leaders of the labor union so that they can take out the labor unions from this era of crisis. The leaders of the labor union must work out to provide a new vision to the labor unions in USA because the old vision of the labor unions is not successfully applicable in to the new situation (Hoyt, p143). At present in America most of the well-educated and technologically qualified people are not willing to participate in the labor union activities and they believe that they can acquire better working conditions without being a member of the labor union. This thinking is decline the trend of becoming member of the labor union in America and at present there are mostly unskilled labor that have some hopes with the labor union to have some improvement and the skilled labor on the other side is hopeful from their qualification and abilities to get better at work place (Sano, Joelle and John, 499). The coming days will bring lot more challenges for the labor unions in America. In order to justify their existence it will become crucial for them to do something that can stop the critics to go far in opposing them and can take back the workers to the membership of the labor unions. There is lack of enthusiasm and sprit in the actions of the labor unions that why the people are disappointed from these unions and in the coming days it can be predicted that the labor unions will not enjoy the same importance and prestige among the workers and the general people that these unions used to have in past. However, there is a lot of hope that still exists in the mind of the people and it is possible that any positive change in the policies of the labor unions can bring them the same favor and privilege that they were having in the old days. Work Cited Hoyt N. Wheeler. The Future of the American Labor Movement, New York, NY, Cambridge University Press, 2005. Print. Sano, Joelle and John B. Williamson. (2008) “Factors Affecting Union Decline and their Implications for Labor Reform,” International Journal of Comparative Sociology, 49: pp479-500. Print. Goldfield, Michael. The impact of globalization and neoliberalism on the decline of organized labour in the United States, London: Routledge, 2007. Print. Read More