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Task 1: Summarize the reading in Unit 7 Who needs Unions?

Labor union, which is an organization of manual and service industry workers, is established for the purpose of ensuring fair wages, reasonable working hours and safe working conditions for their members. It can be trade unions e.g in Britain or political unions in France and Italy. Industrial relations vary in countries, industries and companies. In some places, the management supports the existence of labor unions. On the other hand, some employers and managers (and political parties) protest against its existence even though many management theorists stress the necessity of unions. Peter Drucker said in the 1970s that management was and had to be a power. In the 1980s, the right-wing governments aimed to diminish the power of trade unions, and to deregulate labor markets in accordance with the ideal of free markets. As a result of deregulation, working conditions have worsened in many places, leading to the unemployment and finally strikes and riots arising. The government at that time may find no one to negotiate with. It is a fact that labor union is necessary because a big company needs someone to represent and articulate the needs of the employees and act as a social partner to the employer. Nonetheless, workers will choose not to join the unions if they are incapable of doing this. Task 2: Write a short essay about the necessity of Labor Unions Labor unions are the subject of much controversy. To some extent, this is due to a lack of information about the benefits that a union provides to employers and employees. A labor union is an organization of workers whose purpose is to negotiate with employers for better wages, safer working conditions, and fair treatment. Unions exist to make life better for employees, but they also provide benefits to employers. One major advantage that union employees enjoy over their non-union counterparts is compensation. In a non-union place of business, wages and other compensation are settled privately. There is no guarantee that two people doing the same job--with the same qualifications--receive the same salary and benefits. A labor union, however, ensures that all wages and compensation are written into the union's contract. Everyone is treated equally in a union workplace. Favoritism does not play a part in who gets promoted or what salary increases are rewarded. The union contract specifies when raises occur, and what amount of time with the company qualifies the worker for a promotion. Everyone is subject to the same guidelines and job responsibilities. Another major benefit of union membership for workers is that seniority is honored. In a business that does not have union representation, the qualifications for a promotion are often subjective. In a union, the qualifications for promotion are usually based on seniority. The level

of seniority that is required is spelled out in the union contract. Thus loyalty is rewarded over a person's subjective opinion of the qualifications of candidates applying for a promotion. Union workers do not have to negotiate on their own behalf. Instead, union representatives negotiate on behalf of the entire group. This ensures fair treatment of the employee and guards against discrimination in the workplace. A worker can gain a better position in negotiations when he is joined by a majority of the work force. Alone, he has little leverage to negotiate for higher pay or better working conditions. Basically, labor unions play an integral part in any kind of company. Not only does it help employees in obtaining more benefits in work but also the employers in governing the employees.

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