Labor unions play important role in the society, especially in labor market. Labor unions do not only protect the body of employees, but they also ensure that workers are subjected to favorable working conditions and they receive reasonable and competitive wages and salaries. The fight of labor unions started years ago and it is still characterized by many problems that hinder their effectiveness. Unionists should strive to ensure that labor unions effectively protect workers in all sectors (Cheema, 2016).
Mother Jones, also known as Marry Harris, was one of the extremely influential labor unionists. She dedicated her life to fight for workers in various sectors. Consequently, she was considered the most dangerous woman in USA (Cheema, 2016). Mother Jones was described as the most dangerous woman in the country because of her ability to organize labor protests despite facing hostility from employers and the government. Her ability to successfully organize mine workers and their families to protest against mine owners made her to be considered the most dangerous woman in USA (Gorn, 2001). She was aggressive and fearless labor unionist.
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According to mainstream economic school of thought, lack of competition in the labor market is the mosquito that causes labor problem (Budd, 2006). The monopoly of some owners of factors of production leads to exploitation of employees. Effective competition can help in solving labor market (Portugal & Vilares, 2013). Proponents of the human management school, on the other hand, argue that poor management is the mosquito that causes labor problems (Budd, 2006). Poor management of the interests of worker s and firms or employers is fueling labor problems. Better management can help in solving the problem.
The third school of thought is the industrial labor relations and it is based on the argument that the mosquito causing labor problem is unequal bargaining power between individual employers and organizations (Budd, 2006). Unlike labor unions that have strong bargaining power, individual employees have weak bargaining power. As a result, they are exploited by employer. Finally, the critical industrial relations school maintains that dominant groups and control institutions are fueling labor problems. They are only concern about their interest and not those of workers.
The four schools of thought explain the roles of independent labor unions. Even though mainstream economic school sees labor unions as monopolies that interfere with the competition, independent unions should ensure sufficient competition in the labor market. They have a role of ensuring that workers are competitive. According to the human resource management school, independent labor unions should ensure that workers get justice, security, respect, and opportunities (Budd, 2006). The industrial relation school of thought, on the other hand, maintains that the role of independent labor union is to enhance the bargaining power of individual workers in the labor market. Individual workers need strong bargaining power to avoid exploitation. In addition, supporters of critical industrial relations school argue that the role of independent labor unions is to mobilize and raise the consciousness of workers (Budd, 2006). At the same time, they should fight for the improvement of salary and wages, including favorable working conditions.
In conclusion, labor unions play crucial in the labor market. Many firms only focus on maximizing profits without giving attention to the needs of workers. It is the role of labor unions to ensure that the rights and privileges of all workers are protected. However, there are still many challenges facing employees that need to be addressed, especially in this capitalist era.
References
Budd, J. (2006). Labor relations: Striking a balance . McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Cheema, S. (2016). Mother Jones: Most Dangerous Women in America or Just a Mother? . Retrieved from https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1508&context=gsurc
Gorn, E. (2001). History of Mother Jones. Retrieved from http://www.motherjones.com/about/what-mother-jones-our-history/
Portugal, P., & Vilares, H. (2013). Labor unions, union density, and the union wage premium . Retrieved from https://www.bportugal.pt/sites/default/files/anexos/papers/ab201317_e.pdf
