Abstract The paper discusses the need for unions to operate on a global scale if they are to protect workers against global forces. The paper shows how Canadianunions are attempting to work at a domestic and international level. The paper argues, however, that Canadianunions still have a long way to go before they can successfully compete on a global scale.
From the Paper "Unfortunately, in the main the power of Canadian trade unions is being eroded by the forces of globalization. Therefore, Cohen (2000) has pointed out that there is a need for "new international institutions designed to challenge the power of corporations and facilitate transparent and democratic intervention in relation to international trade and investment" (MacBride and Wiseman, 2000, p. 6). Moreover, in the main attempts by the labour unions to fight back against globalized forces of capitalism have been ineffective of misguided. For example, Swenarchuk (2000) points out that the proposal sponsored by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) "to include labour 'side-agreements' in international trade and investment treaties" is an inadequate response to the complex problems of a diminishing labour rights in the globalized economy."
Abstract This paper discusses the CanadianUnion of Public Employees (CUPE). The paper gives an overview of the organization and then it particularly looks at CUPEs stated goals, objectives, programs and services. It also discusses certain features such as membership composition and nature of its employees, as well as membership rolls.
From the Paper "Canadian Union of Public Employees Overview The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is Canada's largest and most well-known union by virtue of its association with the governmental apparatus of the state. CUPE's membership rolls are currently over 500,000 members and represent public employees in the fields of healthcare, education, municipalities, libraries, state universities, social services, public utilities, transportation services, emergency services and the airline industry. CUPE describes itself as a "strong and democratic union" ("Canada") and states that its mission is to improve the overall quality of life and living standard not just for its members in Canada but for all workers in Canada. CUPE has established a large collective voice of workers that regularly negotiate for improved wages, working conditions, as well as arbitrary action against employees by employers."
Abstract This paper discusses the role of Canadianunions and workers in promoting a quality-of-work agenda. It briefly argues that Canadianworkers and unions should use their knowledge of the "front-line" of the workplace to act as advocates for more generous benefits packages and greater employment flexibility for men and women seeking to "marry" work life with personal life. In particular, the paper argues that comprehensive training, appropriate "time off", ample reward for those who perform admirably in their position, a strict adherence to the health concerns of employees and recognition that being a mother demands special concessions on the part of the organization are all things which unions and workers should take up with senior management during collective bargaining.
From the Paper "One other thing which unions and workers can (and, frankly, must) do is to find ways of integrating the responsibilities of life outside of work with the inevitable time spent working on behalf of the company. For example, organization-provided day-care centers (preferably located right on the work premises) have been a recognized staple of a strong corporate commitment to employee happiness and well-being for some time now (Mastroianni, 1992) and, as more and more women enter the workforce full-time, the need to meet their concerns is a practical business matter and not just a "frill" that management can lightly ignore. Given this reality, unions and employees have an obligation to present to senior officials in any corporation the burdens under which their female members labor and how easy-to-access and safe day-care centers for their children are an excellent means of keeping productive women within the organization - as opposed to having them decide that being a 'stay-at-home' mother is more satisfactory. Furthermore, the progressive organization will also offer flexible employment packages enabling women to work from home if that is something they truly desire."
Abstract This paper examines how during the nineteenth century, labor organizations focused on ways to strengthen and secure themselves. In contrast, it looks at how today, labor unions are faced with a much different world and how due to the changing environment, companies are realizing a larger economy of scale by becoming part of the global economy. It discusses the role of the labor union as well as the advantages and disadvantages of hiring unionizedworkers.
Outline
Introduction
Labor Unions of the Past
Labor Unions of Today
What Does a Union Do?
Reasons for Joining a Union Conclusion
From the Paper "The first concern of a labor union is getting members, organizing the unorganized. Every national union carries on organizing activities through a staff of professional organizers. These days the organizers are likely to be well-educated, sophisticated individuals, with a college degree. Although their carefully planned organizing efforts will be aided by rank and file members, union organizers must have the same knowledge of human motivation and skill in communications techniques as any vice-president of marketing. Organizers in a sense are marketing people, marketing the concept of union membership. Companies vulnerable to unionization often have consultants on retainer or experts on staff to forestall or defeat attempts to organize them."
Abstract The object of this paper is to present a case study of an attempt at forming a union by the United Auto Workers (UAW) at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, Alabama. The case study represents a fairly typical situation in present-day efforts to unionizeworkers in the industrial area. It points out the way that labor-management relations have changed drastically over the last half-century since the days when management involved itself in union-busting and unions used their strike weapon to bring management to heel.
Abstract The paper discusses how Canadianworkers have been victimized for decades by a political economic system which protects business, trade and the financial community interests at the expense of workers. The paper discusses further how globalization has also weakened the Canadianunions. The paper maintains that for Canadianunions to become more effective, the Canadian public must wake up and realize that globalization is just another name for exploitation.
From the Paper "This dominance and control has been portrayed as the pursuit of policies which are in the best interests of all Canadians, and has been expressed through government and business support for the free market system and the neo-liberal policy of globalization. Unfortunately for millions of Canadian workers, government policy makers and businessmen interpret the free market system as a system dependent upon the ability of businesses to increase their profits. In their view, anything that diminishes the ability of Canadian businesses and corporations to expand their profit margins is harmful to the economy, and anything that enables Canadian businesses and corporations to maximize their profits is beneficial to the economy."
Abstract In this paper the author reviews the current issues surrounding the Canadian job market and how the Canadianunions can help the situation and protect their workers.The paper highlights how changing corporate trends have led to downsizing and hiring of multi skilled labor where employers demand high efficiency but are willing to pay low wages for it. In conclusion the author looks at ways in which the unions can help the changing demands of the workplace and the costs associated with it.
From the Paper "Informing a new generation of workers about the benefits of union membership is a high priority for the labor movement. When a young person starts a new job, they handed a host of benefits and they think, 'Isn't this great.' But it wasn't always that way. Labor unions feel that actions taken by cautious regulators could blow up in their faces if they force a quick resolution to a theoretical funding shortfall in multi-employer pension funds. Union infighting could well erupt over measures needed to satisfy regulatory concerns. If younger workers refuse to make sacrifices for retirees, they could torpedo the very pension plans regulators seek to protect."
Abstract In this article, the writer explores the practices of layoffs of organizations by looking at the structural and procedural practices of organizations and how they are affected by unions. The writer also takes a look at the sociological elements that might influence a layoff by individual determinants that cause or influence the layoff. Also explored is how the role of unions affect this issue. The writer concludes that unionized organizations do affect the methods used in layoff procedures and that recall policies of employees laid off were often bargaining tools used by the unions of an organization.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Economic Perspective of Layoff Chances
How the Unions Play A Role in Organizations
The Layoff Procedure In Unionized Organizations
The Study of Layoff Procedures in Emco Corporation
Recall Policy in Unionized Organizations
Works Cited
From the Paper "Seymour Spilerman investigates the structure of organizations and how they affect the inequality of the workers' income, career, and promotion chances. Spilerman considers the division of labor and unions often restricts the managerial decision making processes. Sometimes, practices of inequality occur when individuals are laid off because employers value certain individual traits in the worker. Layoffs might also fall under the plan of personnel practices, and/or seniority based layoff practices. This essay explores the practices of layoffs of organizations by looking at the structural and procedural practices of organizations and how they are affected by unions. It will also take a look at the sociological elements that might influence a layoff by individual determinants that cause or influence the layoff."
Abstract This paper explains that the downfall of the Soviet Union was, in part, due to the labor policies such as the promise of work, the compulsory labor policies and the promise of equal pay to many people regardless of their work. The author points out these labor policies created an apathetic attitude about productivity and success that led to an inability to stir the nation into growth, which was the cause of the ultimate downfall of the Soviet Union. The paper contends that, as the nation rebuilds, it is important that it allows a policy of free market competitiveness.
From the Paper "The Red Army of Workers simulated what Americans know as "Unions". The difference was that the Red Army of Workers was actually controlled by the government and given freedoms that the government felt were allowable. This again wiped out any hope for motivation or drive and those who belonged simply went through the paces. The government allowed the workers to be given the right to participate in the government structure and to practice religion but later years removed such rights. The laboring masses were then nothing but workhorses who went each day, performed their duties, and did not have anything to wish for or hope for."
Abstract This paper discusses unions and labor relations in general in the context of the contemporary work environment. Particularly, the role of unions in contract negotiations, grievance procedures, and collective bargaining, is examined. The conclusion drawn from this research is that although unions can and do serve many useful and constructive purposes, they have collectively failed to adapt to the globalized, competitive economy in which most employees find themselves in.
From the Paper "Labor unions are defined as groups of organized workers who have joined together in order to obtain greater advantages and benefits, as well as protections, in the workplace. Chaison and Bigelow (2002) describe unions as being legitimate bodies of organized laborers who have unified in order to gain advantage in the collective bargaining process. Although the size and influence of union membership has declined in recent decades, they are still a major force in many industries and in many organizations, most especially in manufacturing. Union relevance today is primarily related to labor relations and collective bargaining agreements: "For many years organized labor has lobbied for workplace welfare measures--for example, overtime pay and workers' compensation for job-related injuries and illnesses--and many of them have been instituted by legislation" (Edwards & Fuess, 2003, para.9). Clearly, unions have shifted from a protective role in their formative years during the..."
Abstract This paper discusses the growth and changes of the Canadianworker since the wave of immigration began in the mid-Nineteenth Century to post-war Canada. It provides an overview of early immigration and the improvement of conditions of the workforce.
From the Paper "Canada like the United States is a nation made up of immigrants. While it seems possible that Eric the Red and other Vikings discovered Canada in about AD the actual growth of population and ..."
Abstract The paper discusses the history of labor unions and disagrees with the belief that labor unions are archaic and provide few benefits to workers in the 21st century. The paper explores the political power and influence that labor unions have in shaping Senate and House legislation in the US, in addition to monitoring the policies that may impact domestic labor. The paper shows how labor union influence in contemporary United States politics and public policy has gained momentum in shaping the outcome of domestic and foreign policy.
Outline:
The Contemporary Role of Labor Unions The Labor Union Power Game
Changes that Impacted the Labor Union Political Strategy
From the Paper "The original form and function of the labor union was to provide protection, benefits and a political voice for workers in manufacturing and skilled trades. In the early 20th century, the AFL-CIO was formed, and influential movers such as Samuel Gompers aided in the facilitation of increased wages and benefits for textile and manufacturing workers. The power of labor unions progressed so quickly and drastically, that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt included a labor regulation policy in the New Deal in the early 1930's. As a result, the Department of Labor was established to monitor the authenticity of labor unions in addition to regulating the practices and extent of power of these advocacy groups."
Abstract The new leadership in the AFL-CIO is committed to putting the "movement" back into the ?labor movement,? and there is now an opportunity for reflection on the role and strategy of organized labor in our society. This paper questions whether unions really matter anymore, and if they do, what their mission should be. Specifically, it asks whether there is a need to build a movement simply to represent our own members, or whether this movement have a wider role in society as a whole. Does the fate of the labor movement and workers? rights in the workplace concern more than the ranks of organized labor?
From the Paper "For too long, there has been an irrational and self-defeating division of duties among progressives in the US Union workplaces, while other groups - the so-called social movements and identity groups - organize in the community. Even the term "labor movement" has been reduced to mean simply trade unions, which are supposed to focus on narrowly defined bread-and-butter workplace issues - wages and benefits. This topical and organizational division of turf misleadingly implies that there is an easy division between workplace issues and other social struggles. Furthermore, it suggests that wages and benefits are somehow unifying and other social issues are divisive (Blanton 2003). These separate spheres of influence have resulted in the sad fact that US progressives have often marched in solidarity with labor movements and workers around the world, but often fail to consider the working majority here at home."
This paper contains an historical overview of the U.S. labor movement between 1790 and the 1820s and discusses the birth pangs of the early efforts which gave way to greater and more secure victories for workers.
Abstract This paper examines the vital role of labor unions in the U.S. which existed long before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The writer of this paper gives a detailed historic overview of the U.S. labor movement during which time significant innovations and advancements were made to provide the foundation for today's thriving network of unions. The paper also discusses the last decade of the 18th century that saw the institution of unions in its infancy in which new bands of workers united to protect each other and their interests despite being met with much opposition by their employers.
From the Paper "The 1820s saw several potential routes to progress on the labor front. A rush of utopian fervor and a desire to avoid some of the industrial hells of Europe prompted the establishment of the Lowell Experiment in 1820, providing a safe, hygienic, clean environment for female textile mill workers in Lowell, Massachusetts. The mill also paid extremely high wages and such benefits as library privileges and sitting rooms. A utopian community was also formed by Robert Owen in Illinois and Indiana in 1825; however, this organization failed after three years.
The women's labor movement was also felt in 1824."
Abstract This paper examines the accomplishments and contributions of unions have made toward improving the conditions of workers. In particular, it examines how the lifestyles of workers have changed financially and socially. The paper also considers why a worker would want to join a union, with simple how-to instructions taken from a website. The paper ends with an exploration of why union membership has dropped over the past few decades and how unions are trying to regain their prominence.
From the Paper "Unions have been around for many years, and working conditions in developed, as well as developing countries have been vastly improved due to union activism and vigilance. Some unions have been able to provide many in society with a sense of security that they might not have ever been able to enjoy without the union's strength and cohesiveness supporting them."
