Globalization in China

Labor Union at Lifeng Factory

The employees at Lifeng factory would benefit immensely from joining a labor union because it would provide increased wages, benefits and job protection. Arthur describes labor unions as “organizations in which employees bond together to create a collective voice for negotiations with employers” (Arthur, n.d). A union serves as the negotiator between employees and employers which allows for a more speedy and efficient negotiation. A labor union would provide some amount of job security to the employees of the factory. These workers were not afforded sick days or vacation and feared taking a day off as this could result in termination. The workers at Lifeng were subjected to unpaid overtime, low wages, poor working conditions and zero benefits. A union would serve as a voice, therefore reducing the level of exploitation that they were experiencing.

Employing the concept of collective bargaining in the Lifeng factory would be beneficial to both the employees and the employer. Collective bargaining refers to the method through which employees and employers negotiate in an effort to reach an amicable agreement to standardize working conditions. If collective bargaining was practiced within the Lifeng factory, the employees and Mr. Lam would have taken proactive measures to prevent the strike. However, Mr. Lam was not sensitive to his employees’ well-being and was more focused on meeting deadlines. He felt that he was treating them fairly which was made evident when he mentioned providing them with late night snacks whenever they had to work unpaid overtime. He was not open to collective bargaining. The factory employees refused to work and in the interim the shipment was delayed. Mr. Lam feeling the pressure of meeting his deadline opted to pay his employees the following day to avoid another interruption in delivery. The action taken by the employees of Lifeng factory could be construed as a strike. This is based on the fact that...