Labor Unions Role in Protecting Workers' Rights

Labor unions have played an important role in securing the basic rights of workers for generations. From negotiating wages and working conditions to fighting for better benefits, organized labor groups have wielded their power to protect workers from exploitation and improve their lot in life.

In this article, attorney Naomi E Soldon, who has an extensive experience in labor and employment law, will take a look at labor unions and their impact on protecting workers' rights.

We'll answer some common questions you might have about them and explain why they are needed today more than ever.

 

What are labor unions?

 

As it was explained by Naomi E Soldon, first and foremost, labor unions are organizations made up of workers who demand better treatment from employers. The workers in a union negotiate wages, hours, and other issues related to their work. Naomi E Soldon indicates that the union, in order to function as a legitimate labor union, needs to represent the interests of all workers, not just those in management or upper-level positions. This is why union leaders are known as representatives of the “union” or “council” on behalf of all workers.

An employer who wants to reduce the number of workers in a trade or who wants to hire fewer workers in a certain industry or region may join a labor union. This kind of unionism aims to improve working conditions through collective bargaining with management, who may be represented by a labor union as well. Working conditions in the private sector often aren’t guaranteed by law, so workers have the right to form a labor union. The National Right to Work Foundation defines a labor union as “a group of workers who come together to negotiate on behalf of their members on matters such as wages, working conditions, job security, and benefits”.

 

How did labor unions help protect workers' rights?

Since its beginnings in 1867, the exclusive unionism that characterizes American labor has promoted workers’ rights and safeguarded them from the predations of powerful corporate interests. Naomi E Soldon shares that a labor union represents workers who join together to negotiate on behalf of their collective interest. By forming a union and negotiating collectively with management, workers can demand higher pay or safer working conditions. The federal government passed the Railway Labor Act in 1926, which codified the Railway Labor Act of 1885, as well as amended versions of it through the Railway Labor Act of 1938 and 1941. In addition to codifying established labor practices, the act also established a system of wild card rules that left room for local and non-binding by-laws among railway workers. This flexibility has been one of the union’s greatest strengths, allowing it to adapt to the unique needs of individual workers. The NLRA protects workers against anti-union discrimination, sets hours, and provides other protections against employers’ anti-union propaganda.

 

Labor union members and the left-right spectrum

A major factor in the growth of labor unions and the protection of workers’ rights was the left-right spectrum. During the 1920s and 1930s, most conservative politicians supported trade unionism as a means to increase employment, but by the end of the decade, right-wingers took over the government and unions lost favor as a political issue. Even though conservatives dominated American government for the next half- century, conservative agitation against unions remained relatively minor. The average union member supported the cause by about three to one.

 

Conclusion

Labor unions have been a crucial part of American labor history. They have been a force for good in union-management relations, a bulwark against worker exploitation, and a bulwark against anti-union discrimination. However, unions have also been used as a tool for both negative and positive ends. Over the years, organized labor organizations have promoted both left-wing and right-wing politics, as well as various ideologies and causes. As such, Naomi E Soldon indicates in her videos on Youtube, that it's important to know where unions stand on a given issue and if they hold any political viewpoints at all.