Labor Unions

For this assignment, I analyzed an article titled Issues & Controversies – Labor Unions: Do Labor Unions Benefit American Workers and the U.S. Economy? which, as the title suggests, gives an extensive analysis of whether labor unions are beneficial. Some of the main ideas discussed in this article are the historical significance of labor unions in America, including a comprehensive account of the rise of labor unions in America. A second point highlighted is how union membership has been on a decline in the last several decades, starting off in the 1950s, which is a result of anti-union legislation and a service-based economy (“Issues & Controversies: Labor Unions.” Issues & Controversies 17). Another key point highlighted in the article is that there has been a revival of unions over the last few years in high-profile companies like Amazon and Starbucks and how these companies have responded using tactics aimed at discouraging unionization (“Issues & Controversies: Labor Unions.” Issues & Controversies 22).

The article also discusses the viewpoint of people who support unions, stating that they argue that unions are important because they help protect workers from being exploited, ensure that worker’s income is worth their work input and that having a collective bargaining power is better than individual bargaining (“Issues & Controversies: Labor Unions.” Issues & Controversies 25). Notably, Democrats are some of the individuals who support unions, as demonstrated in the article. “In March 2021, the Democratic-held U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, a bill that would authorize the NLRB to fine companies for unfair anti-union tactics, seek immediate injunctions to reinstate employees it suspects were terminated for unionizing, and prohibit companies from requiring workers to attend anti-union meetings, among other provision” (“Issues & Controversies: Labor Unions.” Issues & Controversies 23). On the other hand, the article also gives the grounds for the opposition of unions by opponents, whereby they argue that they can be applicable in the modern globalized economy because they force companies to move their operations to cheaper countries, distort the market, and cause a reduction in economic competitiveness (“Issues & Controversies: Labor Unions.” Issues & Controversies 27). Conservatives are usually some of those who oppose unions, such as the Republican party.

The article does a good job of highlighting how important unions are for workers. Unionization started during the Industrial Revolution in the eighteenth century when workers protested for better wages and working conditions. This trend continued till the 1950s, when unionization started declining as the economy improved. The decline continued till the 2008 economic crash when the resurgence started off, and the public approval of unions has been the highest since the late twentieth century. The purpose of unions is to ensure people are paid their work’s worth. Further, the article uses several historical examples of workers going on strike to protest unfair working conditions or wages. Unfortunately, globalization and automation of jobs have weakened unions, and with more technological innovation occurring rapidly, this will only continue to happen. Nevertheless, after reading this article, I think there is a huge discrepancy in how companies make billions or millions of dollars, and those in high-up positions get paid a lot of money, but the laborers are paid very little. No matter what argument the opponents make, the point still stands that unions are there to fight for the rights of employees, and in a fair society, they would not be necessary, and as such, agree with the supporters of unions.

Work Cited

“Labor Unions.” Issues & Controversies, Infobase, 3 Mar. 2023, icof.infobase.com/articles QXJOaWNsZ. Accessed 18 Oct. 2024.

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To prepare you for the Essay #3:
Cultural Critique. I am assigning you the following article from Infobase‘s “Issues &Controversies” this week:
“Labor Unions: Do Do Labor
Unions Benefit American Workers/?” (“Labor Unions“)

After reading this article and taking notes on it, your task is to do the following:

• Write a paragraph in which you summarize the article. In the topic sentence ,identify the title of the article as well as the main ideas.
  In the body of the paragraph, explain how the main idea(s)is(are) supported in the article; be sure to include relevant, cited
  quotes and examples from the article.
• Write a paragraph in which you analyze the article. In your topic sentence, briefly summarize your analysis, and then in the body of the paragraph, support and develop your analysis. Some questions to consider: What is your analysis of the main ideas?
  How well does the article support the main idea(s)? Do you have observations and examples of your own that develop or(perhaps) contradict ideas expressed in the article?
  

  Labor Unions

There is no length requirement, but you must fully support and develop each paragraph for full credit, and you must closely edit to remove all errors.
Finally, be sure to cite using in–text MLA citations. Include a Works Cited page. Below is the Works Cited entry as it should appear (be sure to change the “accessed” date at the end to the date when you last accessed it):

“Labor Unions.” Issues &Controversies,Infobase,3 Mar.2023,icof.infobase.com/articles/ QXJOaWNsZ‘

Accessed 6 Mar. 2023