Unions and the Workplace

Unions represent employees in dealing with the employer concerning workplace issues. The benefit is that instead of each worker negotiating separately with the employer regarding wages, or benefits, the union bargains with the employer on behalf of all the workers. The NLRA, which regulates union- employer relations at work, was enacted based on the notion that individual employees have little leverage when bargaining with their employer, and that in practice the employer unilaterally sets wage and benefit levels without any discussion with the workers. If the workers pool their individual bargaining power, however, and negotiate collectively through a union, the result will more likely be a product of true give-and-take where the workers will have an effective voice concerning workplace issues.