What conditions in the workplace are most likely to trigger a union organizing campaign?
What conditions in the workplace are most likely to trigger a union organizing campaign?
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- What conditions in the workplace are most likely to trigger a union organizing campaign?
While there are a large number of reasons why employees may be tempted to begin the unionization process, it typically boils down to the employees perception of how the business is handling their concerns. If the given company is being seen as unfair or unresponsive to the concerns of the employees then the employees may feel as though unionizing is their best chance to fight back. However, if the business is honest and transparent with their employees about why some of these changes can/ can’t happen and what the time frame may look like then employees are more likely to be understanding and not feel as though unionization is a necessity.
With that said, there are several main factors that can influence employees towards unionizing. The first big reason is that employees feel as though their complaints are not being heard. These complaints can range from bringing up behavioral issues within the workplace to simply being asked to do unfamiliar job functions without explanation. Regardless of whether the complaint is big or small in nature, the impact is the same which is the employee feeling as though they have no voice in the company. Unions often target this fact by stating that by unionizing employees will be given a bigger voice in the company. The second reason relates to the first and has to do with respect. This disrespect can come in multiple forms but include employees being disciplined in front of their peers or customers to playing favorites with certain employees over others. All of this can add up to an employee feeling disrespected and diminished. A third reason is when employees begin to feel unsafe at work. Safety aspects include being properly trained as well as having the proper gear to do the job. Clear guidelines and procedures need to be given to all the relevant employees to ensure that their safety is being put above all else. Failure to comply can lead to employees being injured or killed on the job in extreme incidents but can also lead to a slew of OSHA violations. The final reason often comes down to pay and benefits offered to the employees. If employees see that their managers and higher ups are getting paid obscene amounts of money, they will begin to question if they are getting the “short end of the stick.” While this may not be true, once the employees believe this to be a reality it can become very difficult to change that perception.
It is my opinion that many of these issues can be addressed by constructive, honest, and transparent conversations between employees and management. Employers that are willing to put in the extra effort to listen to and keep their associates in the loop will often have happier associates who know that their concerns will be looked at seriously instead of brushed off to the side.
References
Fisher Phillips. (2009, November 1). Fisher phillips reasons employees give for joining a union. Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://www.
SHRM. (n.d.). How can we prevent a union from organizing in our company? Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://www.shrm.org/
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