The Roles of the Unions, Employer Associations - Coursework Example

ROLES OF LABOUR UNIONS, EMPLOYER ASSOCIATIONS AND GOVERNMENT. Introduction Labour has always been an integral aspect in any economy. This is even more so in the globalised world. Labour laws and unions are systems and movements that have been in existence since time immemorial. They help In improving worker’s standards of living, fostering equality in the working environment, application of justice in cases where the rights of an employee has been infringed, and advocating for policies implementation by the government to see to it that workers are not oppressed or victimized (Joachim,2007). Emergence of this labor unions and movements were as a result of most employers and governments, are more concerned by multiplying their income rather than look after the welfare of their employees (Addison, 2007). The world economies and political systems are being liberalized, thus changing the way things are run. These changes therefore, require labour unions to greatly update its strategies in order to meet demands posed by these new conditions (Claus, 2007). Although liberalization poses more pressure on labour unions to up their game to achieve growth in equity, it has propelled these unions to play a vital role in the society both economically, socially and politically (Visser,2006). LABOUR UNIONS IN AMERICA In the US, labour movements and unions were established in early 19TH Century. Due to industrialization, many corporations were established in order to meet the large demand for products or services. This move allowed many people to seek employment in these corporations (Blanchflower, 2007). The employment of workers meant negotiating for salaries and better wages for the employees, thus emergence of labor unions in America. S Labour unions were helpful and still are in developing sustainable channels o production and consumption in economies. (Simon,2007). This is because they are globally integrated and have access to global information and are very influential in the working population (Alex, 2007). More recently, labor unions in America have involved themselves in global processes in policy making. Are able to organize workers and voice their problems and issues. They have been very integral in the American economy as corporations would otherwise dictate and paternalise their employees. In the US, trade unions have been seen as the voice of workers (Simon,2007) Workers are free to join a labor union of their choice by paying a dismal amount of money monthly or even annually (John,2007). The American government advocates that, It is important for a worker to join a labor union who are very efficient in representing their clients in labor courts and in negotiating in favor of their workers. Labor unions in America has established and created a middle or neutral ground between the employer, employee, and the state. They have been charged with the responsibility of upholding good management and respect for labor laws. Union leaders are supposed to objective and represent their workers without allowing their personal, moral or spiritual inclinations alter reason (Simon, 1998). Media has played a significant role in civic education about worker’s rights in America. The workers become more enlightened on factors and policies that affect their industry. This knowledge is important in increasing awareness of the public on important issues like economy. Managements too have become more sensitive and skilled in handling relationships with employees (Jelle,2006).This is true of even family-owned and managed businesses. There has been a shift in the roles of labor unions over time in America, as workers are more educated thus being able to negotiate for better contractual terms and conditions, and employers are now more sensitive to providing a conducive environment and better pay for their employees, who in turn increase their productivity (Simon,2007) LABOUR UNIONS IN GERMANY Before the second world war, Germany’s labor unions were divided along political sides. This scenario created lack of cohesion between religious groups, communitst, socialists and the liberals (Paul, 1998). German leaders of various labor unions therefore, established the federation of German trade and labor unions. The federation formed was the Deutscher Gerwerkschaftsbund (DGB), which was not influenced by politics (Cliff, 1998). During the formation of this bloc, they had various principles that guided them; that the federation would not be associated to any religion or any political party, to allow representation of all workers in spite of their occupation, the unions would be established along industrial systems/lines. They also agreed on a systemic decentralization of roles between a single trade union at a local level or district level would emulate that at the federal level (Paul, 1998). The forth principle was that every union shall advocate for policy and legislation change in labor laws at a national level rather than negotiate terms for workers directly with employers (Maria, 1998) Before the establishment of a single federation to negotiate for the rights of workers, Germany unlike in the US, people relied n religious groups to voice their grievances, hence the reason why the government was not separated from the church. The religious unions expressed the need for responsibility by the state and developing ecumenism (Blaschke, 2000). The state appreciated the role of the church in the war for moral responsibility and equal rights for workers, thereby establishing legal corporations for the church that had and still do hold greater influence on issues relating to social policies, family policies, education systems and respect for human rights (Brown,2001). In both Germany and America, labor unions are legal entities and are key to dynamic economic developments. They negotiate for better terms on behalf workers to their employers, fight to improve the working conditions, and increase in pays and annual benefits (Brown,2001). In both countries, members of various unions unite to demand for change and use their might collectively to get what they want. Workers, who are members of these unions, are likely to get better benefits than their colleagues who are not. Over years, service delivery and daily procedures in the working population in Germany and America, has come to a stand still over labor unions asking for mass strikes or g slows. Those economies has had massive losses in their airline or manufacturing industries following strikes organized by labor union (Pratten, 2001). Through labor unions established in Germany and in America, workers who have joined them have a lot to be glad for. Employers, who subject them to conditions that are not conducive, sometimes put workers, who have not joined the unions, through oppression(Pratten, 2001). These workers are most of the times unable to ask for any changes as easily as their unionized workers would (Chaplin, 2005).Labor unions in both nations over the years have grown tremendously and acquired new insights on important issues as governance (Colin,2005). This has led political parties and political leaders supporting the unions in their demands. Their support for the unions is so that they may gain favour and support from the workers to propel them political or elect them to government (Susan, 2005). The purpose and benefits to workers in these two great nations cannot be undermined. They have worked collectively to sort the issues relating to amount o work an employee can be subjected to, better wages, and improving worker is working conditions (Graubart, 2008). Labor unions have had a say in making laws and policies that curb subjecting children to child labor, and ensuring a worker’s health is protected and safety measures are in place (Maynard, M. 2004). They are also involved in determining working hours of normal working days, implementation of social security funds, retirement benefits, and negotiating for minimum wages (Hamann, 2001). Labor laws have been formulated to protect workers who are union members being left out during job offers, by employers who may prefer employing ununionized worker to a unionized one (Maynard, 2004). In the US, trade unions are now focused more in negotiating for worker’s rights more than involving themselves in American politics. The trade unions however, do favour the democrats more than the republicans or the independents (John, 2008). Germany though, have the Labour Party that dwells more on policies that affect labor policies like spending by national health service ministries (Mayer,2006). Roles of Employer Associations In America and Germany. Although employees have been the point of interest more than employers have, employers have their own right to fight for what they see fair, or when an employee infringes on their rights (Joachim, 2007). This has led to employer in organizations and corporations joining hand in order to guard their rights as employer and safeguard their companies by forming associations (Lange, 2002). In countries with pluralist economic systems such as America and Germany, where cooperation between labor unions, government and the employer’s institutions are not institutionalized (Joachim, 2007). Employer associations are lobbyist groups that advocates and has their influence on policies. However, they are overtaken by labor unions based on industrial lines (Schnabel,2007). Germany has two major employer associations. This includes the confederation of industry of Germany and confederation of unions of employers of Germany. In America, there is the chamber of commerce, which forward and represent political needs of its workers to the President, the Congress supreme courts and international governments (Susanne, 2006). It does so by implementing policies that best suit the operations of the organization. Better business bureau is another association. The association helps by setting up a grading system (Wolfgang, 2007). The grading system is affected by factors such as complaints, type of business, and an employer’s competence. It also settle disputes and sue businesses that practice fraud. Associated builders and contractors is the third one. It serves more than 20,000 businesses that are affiliated to construction in the areas of commerce and industry in America (Stephen, 2007).The association advocate legal issues for its members, develop business workforce and represent their clients in political and in governmental ventures. It also accord credit recommend companies that are free from fraud and fosters safety, develop good relationship with the society and government and seek to better the living standards of its workers and respect their rights as workers and finally the AAIM management association (Silvia,2007). In America and in Germany, employer associations deal with three major areas. The first area involves the employer understanding their obligations and rights and those of their employees, improving safety of its employees and understanding procedures used when terminating an employee (Alex, 2007). The employer must then know and ensure that they have the minimum conditions necessary for employment. This includes prior experience and grades necessary as an entry requirement. The employer should ensure that they provide secure and healthy working conditions to their employees (Lange, 2002). The employer is charged with the responsibility of drafting contracts, with detailed information on the type of work the employee is employed for, duration of time they are employed, benefits accrued, working hours, and dress codes if any among other important details that may affect the worker (Susanne, 2006). This is vital when an employee fails to meet the employer’s standards as agreed thus forming the basis for termination. Employers who do not write contracts have hard times when taken to courts by their employees (Stephen, 2007). An employer should also keep employee records containing employee testimonials, academic papers and other necessary paperwork concerning the employee. Keeping written wage statements, time and records of wages is important to avoid situations where employees claim that they were not paid, when in fact they were (Traxler, 2000). In both countries, its agreed by the employer associations that an employer shall not discriminate against an employee be it by color of their skin, religion, disability, nationality or any other factor that does not affect a worker’s productivity (Visser, 2006). They should also consult with their employees and labor unions if there is change in either operations or management, that would affect the employee (Jelle, 2006). The employee on the other hand, are expected to meet all demands of their employer, observe punctuality when reporting to duty, respect and be truthful to the employer (Mayer,2006). The employer expects the employee to observe basic safety measures when working to avoid accidents and fires in the premises Member of employer associations in Germany and in America should comply to rules and regulations set by the industrial courts in relation health matters, safety, and conducive environment for employees Employers who fail to meet these obligations and fail to report it to either. Labor unions or their association are likely to face court charges or be penalized financially (Bryson, 2009). Consequently, they can be removed as members of a particular employer association (Waddington, J. 2001). An employer although they hold the right to hire or fire, they are not allowed to terminate an employee without a notice (Waddington, 2000). An employee is also required to serve the employee with a notice if they wish to resign and if they don’t an employer can withhold payments (Lange, 2002). Apart from employer association making sure the employer offers impeccable and quality service in accordance to industrial relations, the employer associations are responsible in promoting and developing reforms in the industry in question, use their powers to influence creation and implementation in government policies, and influence proposals in government (Alex, 2007). They safeguard and look, after the legal interests of their clients and helping in equipping the employers with materials and information that will help increase their service delivery and compliance with industrial relations (William, 2007). In liberalized countries like America, such associations help develop relations between a company and investors locally and internationally. They help in fostering best practices among its members, and advice on how to comply to industrial relations, adopt to change in management and offer other consultation services (John, 2008). Role of Government The state has a role to play in employment issues, weather it concerns the employer or the employee. In Germany, the state initially recognized the role the church played in advocating for the rights of workers, thereby forming a legal network for them (Rafael, 2007) . In both countries, America and Germany, the government has sought to be on the good side of labor unions. This is because labor unions influence a very large population of workers who account for the electorate (Bryson, 2009). This fact is well known by political parties and individuals, who will support demands made by labor unions. The state through various ministries has encouraged formulation of labor policies that favour and promote rights for workers (Traxler, 2000). In Germany and in America, the state has cooperated with non-governmental organizations, labor unions and employer associations in safeguarding the rights of children thus signing international treaties against child labor. Moreover, it has formulated policies that restrict and prosecute corporations that advocates for poor working conditions for their workers. The state through bodies that it has set up, advocates for fair wages, lack of discrimination for workers, elimination of forced labor and enhancing of safety in the working environment (Lange, 2002). Conclusion The roles of labor unions, employer associations and government between America and Germany are very similar. Labor unions in both countries negotiate for better rights of workers, better pay and benefits, and improving safety in working areas. Labor unions however, can cause harm to companies by increasing the cost of labor thus lowering a company’s profit margins. Employer associations do influence proposals of the government for the best interest of the corporations it represents. Moreover, they do influence in formulation of government policies on labor laws and helps in developing relations between a company and investors locally and internationally. The state in Germany and in America, advocates for respect for the rights of the employer and the employee (Schroeder, 2007).The government also prohibit wrong labor practices like forced labor and child labor. References Addison, T., Claus S., and Joachim, W. 2007. The (Parlous) State of German Unions. Journal of Labour Research, 28 (winter), pp.3-18. Bach, S. 2002. Public-sector Employment Relations Reform under Labour: Muddling Through or Modernization? British Journal of Industrial Relations, 40(2), pp. 319-99. Blanchflower, D.G. 2007. International Patterns of Union Membership. British Journal of Industrial Relations, 45 (March), pp. 1-28. Blanchflower, G., Alex, B., and John, F.. 2007. Workplace Industrial Relations in Britain, 1980-2004. Industrial Relations Journal, 38(4), pp. 285-302. Blaschke, S. 2000. 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