Unions Labor Unions in Ancient Times, Most Term Paper

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Unions

Labor Unions

In ancient times, most labor work was done by slaves or serfs who were mercilessly exploited by their masters. Even non-slave workers were treated poorly and had little power to change their condition. It was only in the Middle Ages, that some merchant guilds and craft guilds began to appear in Europe that functioned as associations of trades-people. After the Industrial Revolution, workers began to organize themselves into organizations called Unions in order to improve their working conditions. Such Unions are now recognized by law in most countries as legitimate organizations that have the right to collectively bargain with the employers and also strike to pursue their demands. In this paper I shall discuss why workers unionize, and explain some of the pros and cons while taking a pro-union stance.

Background

It goes without saying that the balance of power between the employers is always heavily tilted in favor of the employers. The workers are, therefore, vulnerable to gross exploitation leading to low pay, long working hours and poor working conditions. In an unequal relationship, a lone worker stands no chance against an employer who is focused on deriving the maximum profit from his business. Collectively, of course, the workers can be a force to be reckoned with. The initial period of the Industrial Revolution, both in Europe and the United States, was marked by appalling working conditions, and grinding poverty for vast numbers of the working people. Twelve-hour or longer working days for 7 days a week under the harshest of conditions were the norm. The birth of the Labor Movement was, therefore, a logical outcome.

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Workers in factories, coal-mines, and rail-roads began to organize themselves and demanded better pay and working conditions. The employers, who were used to getting things done cheaply, opposed the formation of such "unions" vigorously. This led to confrontation and strikes but eventually the workers were able to get some of their demands accepted.

Why Workers Unionize?

Workers form unions so that they can have a voice on the job and can improve their own lives, the lives of their families and their communities. ("How and Why...") Through their Unions, the workers hope to protect their basic rights such as a reasonable pay for the work done, to get a certain amount of safety and security in their jobs, and not be discriminated against. Statistics show that Union workers in the U.S. earn 27% more than nonunion workers ("Union 101"); 73% unionized workers in the private industry get health benefits, compared with about 50% of non-unionized workers; 70% of union members in private companies get pension benefits, while only 16% workers without unions get the facility. ("What Unions Do?") Worker's Unions have also been instrumental in cutting down discrimination in our country's workplace by raising earnings of women and African-Americans by 30% and by 45% for Latinos. (Ibid)

Historically, Labor Unions have several major achievements to their credit. They fought for and attained the 8-hour working day, and forced the government to pass several pro-workers laws such as: the Clayton Antitrust Act in 1914 that restricted….....

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