Unionization of employees Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Unionization of employees - Essay Example Industrial Revolution was one of the major turning points in human development. It is the process of change from an agrarian, handicraft economy to one dominated by industry and machine manufacture. This revolution had a major impact on the society and the labor force. Initially, this revolution made people work in factories for long hours perhaps from 14 to 16 hours. As a result of which many of them including children were forced to work in this manner and was very hard for them.Industrial revolution began in England in the 18th century which involved technological changes such as the use of iron and steel, new energy sources, the invention of new machines that increased production in relatively less time. Many of them did not survive the hardship and died. Though Britain was where the Industrial Revolution began, it was also the place where reformations started. In 1932 when middle class males won the right to vote in Great Britain all the reformation started. Workers formed socie ties and in due course it was called trade unions also known as the unionization of employees began (Wikipedia, 2008). The aim of trade unions was to fight for better working conditions and better pay as a result changes were also brought to the working conditions such as 10 hour work days, child labour laws and required school. Therefore, a trade union is an organization which was formed to promote and protect the interests of a collection of workers. Even today, unionization is helping employees and is fighting for there rights. This research paper aims to provide information on how unionization of employees has had an impact on various aspects. The status of unionization of employees varies for country to country or state to state. While in some countries trade unions possess substantial freedom, from the right to Freedom of Association, to public demonstrations and active protest against political opponents such as strikes, in other countries it is totally opposite and are actively suppressed by political or military rules, with little or no freedoms. Additionally, in these countries the prospect of violence or even death is high. Like it or not unionization of employees are political in nature, and often attract both positive and negative consequences. Over the last few decades, trade unions have developed into a number of forms propagandize by differing political and economic regimes. Trade unions in the early days, such as the Friendly Societies, often offered a number of benefits to insure members against unemployment, ill health, old age and funeral expenses. Similarly, in many industrialized countries, these functions have been taken up by the state. In addition, the provision of professional training, legal advice, and representation for members still remain among the main benefits of trade union membership. The second and one of the most important aims of unionization of employees is that they are able to operate openly, are legal bodies and are recognised by employers, they may negotiate with employers over wages and working conditions. If the demands are not met, employees union may organize strikes or resistance to lockouts if their particular goals are not agreed by the authorities. They may also go to the extent of camp aigning, undertake lobbying, or financially support individual candidates or parties for public office who will help to fulfil their demands (Wikipedia, 2008). There are several researchers who have devoted several years working on the effects of unionization of employees. Brown and Medoff (1978) are the pioneers who worked on this issue. Following the pioneering work and inspired by the controversial work of Freeman and Medoff (1984), a number of empirical studies have studied the impact of union on productivity particularly in UK and the USA. Although a number of authors have estimated positive union productivity differentials, there is a common agreement in the literature about unionism