Question

Why were Unions organized? Support your thoughts and provide examples. Do Unions still serve a purpose? Support your thoughts. Provide your thoughts on the future of Unions and the role they might serve.

Answer 1

Unions were organized to protect the employees and workers from the injust or unequal treatment by the employers. In earlier times, the employers were very powerful and had sole authority over the business. Thus, they would impose rules and regulations over their employees without providing them with adequate safety and benefits. The workers then would be exposed to harsh and unjust working. For example, cases of slavery and employment of child labor in several industries which lead to deforming the society, making rich, richer and poor, poorer. Thus, unions were formed so that the employees would together place their requests and demands to the management and receive their due payment, benefits and safer working conditions.

However, with the United Nations having formed and several other organizations world-wide, there has been a growing importance over protection of workers. The nations, having realized the issues have strict rules and regulations which protect employees from atrocities of the employer. Also, the employer has to make payments to the employees on the basis of minimum pay act and ensure the working conditions are safe for them and the necessary safety measures have been taken. Thus, the need for unions is diminishing as the employers have to abide by the rules and regulations formed by the nation which are in favor of workers.

In future, unions may serve as regulatory bodies to improve performance and innovation in the organization. They could act as motivating agents which tend to motivate employees to make improvements in the processes and increase productivity. Also, they could help develop new solutions to improve productivity and reduces wastages and defects.