Monday, February 21, 2005
Another Management Perspective on Future of Unions
Peter List of the North American Employer's Group has posted an interesting blog post on the future of unions that is worth a look. While don't think I'd go as far as Peter in pronouncing the labor movement "dead" (unions are still quite strong in certain industries and geographic locations - construction trades, northeast and west coast, public sector, etc.) I do generally agree with his analysis. Unions for the most part have outlived their usefulness and are mainly able to thrive only in non-competitive niches of the economy. I also agree that spending a bunch of money on trying to get people to join current unions is just a waste of time - there is just not enough lipstick for this pig. Instead unions need to re-think the supply-demand curve for their offerings and re-make the bundle of services they offer to fit with the demands of modern employees AND employers. If they insist on living in the past and maintaining their old model then, as Peter suggests, it may be time to pull the plug soon. Welcome to the blogosphere Peter!
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I agree that labor unions are fading away. I also agree that they should step back and make some changes with the way they go about serving employees of companies. Times have changed and companies are smarter. If unions want to survive the next century, they can't focus on the past. Unions will always have a purpose. They keep that worry nerve active in the back of manager's minds.
I thought Mr. List really pinpointed the main problem I see with union jobs today. Beings that unions are vastly in companies with large payrolls i.e. (factories, plants, etec.), It is more and more easier for companies to move their business to different countries where there is no worry of dealing with a union. When this happens, the unions workers are left without a job and then the unions loses it dues those workers woould be paying.
I think there will always be a need for unions or some form of employee organization. Unions need to look at the needs of modern workers and rebuild based on current needs, rather than historical needs. I think if we look at current issues, offshore outsourcing, immigration, technology,managements interpretation of what is ethical and fair, the huge gap between the wealthy and those who squeak by every month, it is clear to see something has to change.
I don't think unions will ever dissapear. They are indeed fading because companies have actually found out that treating employees thoughtfully actually helps profit and helps the company prosper. It doesn't matter if companies suddenly treat employees great by giving them great benefits and rewards, there will always be someone to complain and demand more and to think that they are being mistreated and disrespected; and this is where the union will always have its place. That is just another reason why companies decide to outsource.
I don't thing unions will totally fade away. The need for them is decreases, but they are still needed. Many companies are getting smarter and treating people better. People feel respected and that their veiws are heard. However, there are some companies that still have old style management that causes a lot of ill will with it's employees. I happen to work for one. They do a lot of things that are not fair and not consistent. People get treated differently and promoted through the buddy system. That has to change. I believe a union would help the situation.
Basically I agree with the article. The era for unions seems to be over. However, if union leaders start now by realizing thier faults and rethinking the ground purpose of a union then maybe Unions can be salvaged and have a new perspective on their purpose for being there. While all this may be possible it doesn't seem to be happening and with states passing right to work laws it just seems that Unions will eventually end up in debt and have fewer and fewer employees who want them there.
I agree, I don't think that unions will ever go away completly but at the same time they are fading away due to alot of the big companies moving their factories and plants overseas for cheaper labor.
I for the most part agree with what Peter said about unions. They are fading into the past. Mostly this is due to the fact that employers have realized that employees will leave and find better jobs if treated poorly. The labor management side has had to restructure its outlook on the treatment of their associates because there is such an array of different choices of jobs today and they need to keep experiences people for better customer relations. On the other end unions are stuck in an outdated spectrum of past ideals. They need to look to the future so that they don't become the past.
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