Break Down the Barrier Case Study

Labor unions exist all over the world. They became popular in the era of the Great Depression, when companies regularly abused workers with low pay, long hours, unsafe working conditions, few (if any) fringe benefits, and condescending treatment. The Knights of Labor, Railroad Brotherhood, and Teamsters are among the unions from our history. Despite efforts of many business owners such as Henry Ford to squash their creation, labor unions grew as a way for employees to collectively bargain for better pay, benefits, and working conditions. Unions have always been able to use the ultimate power play--a strike--which can effectively shut down all production.

Unions have largely been successful in their efforts to help workers. Nowadays a host of labor laws exist, such as a minimum wage, mandatory overtime pay, and minimum breaks. However, unions have had a host of negative impacts on society, as are discussed below. The issue of unions has become particularly important nowadays as governments all over the world try to rein in unsustainable spending by cutting back benefits of mostly unionized government employees. The governments of France and Greece are recent examples. In the U.S., the standoff between Scott Walker of Wisconsin and the state unions there touched off a controversy that dominated the national news.

Why does Angelica have the option of joining or not joining the union?

The state of Nevada is a right to work state. No person shall be denied the opportunity to obtain or retain employment because of non-membership in a ;about organization, or shall the state, pr any subdivision thereof or any corporation, individual or association of any kind enter into any agreement, written or oral, which excludes any person from employment of continuation of employment because of non-membership in a labor organization. 613.250 Agreements prohibiting employment because of non-membership in labor or prohibited.

Break Down the Barrier 3

How...