Why A Union Would Go On Strike And Effects Of It
Essay by 24 • January 1, 2011 • 751 Words (4 Pages) • 1,234 Views
Why a union would go on strike and effects of it
Higher wages! Excellent healthcare packages! Better working
conditions! Job security! These are all good reasons to go on strike.
For the last two-houndred years, workers of all trades have been
Fighting for their rights and seeking methods of improving their living
standards, working conditions, and job security. Labor unions are an
organized group of workers whose purpose is to increase wages and
influence other job conditions for its members.
A strike occurs when unionized workers collectively agree
to stop working in order to try and force management to agree to a
new collective bargaining agreement. Under the law a strike can only
occur if the existing collective bargaining agreement has expired and
generally strikes do not occur unless labor and management have
reached a stalemate in the contract negotiations. The bargaining
process is concerned with wages, working hours, fringe benefits,
job security, safety, and other matters relating to working conditions.
Negotiations often stall for a number of reasons, but the company
Most common reasons are wage and benefit levels. Often both
Sides over estimate the other side's willingness to concede
And when both sides have given all they are willing to give without
Reaching a compromise, a stalemate is reached. During a stalemate
Both sides try to convince the other that they are unable to give
anymore. In order to show there determination unionized workers
often decide to go strike, and will stay on strike until management
is ready to give in to their demands. The workers determine whether or
not they feel the need to strike, by a strike vote. If the majority of
workers are in favor of going on strike then the union declares a day
and time that an agreement must be reached, or their workers will walk
off the job. Today, finding a job is becoming increasingly difficult and
an employee likes to feel that job the employee has is secure. If the
employee joins a union, the union will be able to provide the employee
with this security. The union achieves this security by having the
power to talk to the employer and being able to provide assistance.
A number of restrictions apply with respect to the actions of
the workers once a strike has begun. First, there are restrictions on
picketing , you must have permission to picket on privately owned
property. Second, you cannot legally stop people or shipments from
going in or out of the company, nor can you cause harm to anyone
wishing to cross the picket line. If the employer sees that you are
violating these laws, he or she can seek an injunction, to limit your
ability
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