Labor unions were formed during the industrial revolution in the eighteenth century. The reasons as to why they were formed are that workers in the industrial sector worked in terrible conduction such as low wages, they worked long hours, there was no light in the factories, machines had no safety precautions, workers rarely received a break, and children were exploited (Holley, Kenneth & Roger, 25). What was important about the unions in the past is that the workforce needed representation or in other words, they needed protection, better wages, work rules, benefits, complain procedures and safe working condition (Holley, Kenneth & Roger, 25). In addition, the labor unions played a significant role in ending child labor and improving the health of children who had physical deformities due to unfair treatment.
In today society, unions are still relevant as they safeguard workers. In America, employees provide health insurance, good working hour, safety protection, and pension coverage (Holley, Kenneth & Roger, 26). Thus, employees are enjoying safety and health, and many other benefits. Unions have benefited the organizations in that it has improved management, it has brought new structural changes, and it has allowed the political and legal units to control the business (Holley, Kenneth & Roger, 27). Unions have also improved the economy in that high wage services workers who have a higher level of education are needed to work in professional occupations. This means that higher wages and good working conditions are creating competition which is associated with productivity and innovation (Holley, Kenneth & Roger, 28). As a result, the unions are boosting the standard of economy and success in the marketplace.
I have also been in students' unions and according to my own opinion, unions are very important as they allow the members to complain about their rights and to express grievances on issues concerning the environment, education, diversity, and more. Unions also allow members especially students to join various clubs, projects, and social events where one interacts with people and develops new skills.
Work cited
Holley, William H, Kenneth M. Jennings, and Roger S. Wolters. The Labor Relations Process.
Mason, Ohio: South-Western Cengage Learning, 2009. Print.
