Labor Relations Paper

Labor Relations Paper

University of Phoenix

* Most employees in the United States are able to successfully seek and select employment with working conditions, pay, flexible hours and benefits that are suitable to them. However, there are times when employees believe management has not given enough consideration to their needs, thus causing conflict. When conflict happens, employees unite by collectively creating and joining unions. In this paper we will define the effects of unions and labor relations on organizations. This paper will also examine the effect of changes in employee relations strategies, policies, and practices on organizational performance.

* A union is an organization of employees that represent the interests of the employee. Unions improve the organizations quality of work for the employee. The union is the employee’s voice in the organization when there is conflict. Unions also help employees negotiate working conditions, pay, flexible hours and benefits.

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Unions may have its pro and con's with both the employee and employer. Some individuals believe that it is better not to be a member of a union while others believe that they would not want to work in a union-less environment. If an individual works for a large organization, odds are that it would be in his/her best interest to be a union member. As a union member, an employee may have the protection from the union. An employer does not have the right to fire or discipline an employee without having a meeting with a union representative, such as a union steward. A union steward is actually an employee of the organization that is elected by the union members to represent them and investigate complaints and help them file grievances if an employee feels that his/her union contract was violated in any way. Union stewards will fight to avoid disciplinary action for the employee's behavior. Union officials and union stewards are voted in by the union members....