A labor union consists of a group of workers whose goal is to influence the nature of their employment, to receive better wages and benefits,protection from arbitrary discharge and a greater voice in their workplace decision making.Thee perspective is different from that of employers.Employers are about managing employee relationship with their unions in such a way that it will result in organizational goals and profitability.Government and society also have stakes in labor relations.The community seeks continuity and good relations between employees and employers.Government seeks to maintain a balance without favoring employees or employers.Workers cannot negotiate individually with management.The logical step is to negotiate collectively through a union.This process is called collective bargaining.

Employees and employers have conflicting goals,they also have common goals and rights.Workers have goals and rights so also do management have goals and rights.From the perspective of management,unions and collective bargaining will result in efficiency equity and voice.In collective bargaining,representatives of workers sit down with management and negotiate the terms and conditions of employment,wages, benefits,vacations,employee rights and responsibilitiesThe labor union perspective is to strengthen unions and union density,the number or percentage of workers that are labor union members.These goals are not easy today because of declining union membership as result of globalization.,outsourcing etc.Today most workers do not see the relevance of unions in the workplaceWhich school of thought do you agree with?Why.Discuss.

What is your opinion of unions today? Discuss.

What role should government play today, in labor management relations.?