Please make a response to two of my classmates's discussion posts. It should enhance my peer's contributions. You can use references if need be. Here are the two posts you must respond to:

Post #1:

Unions are organizations formed by workers who join and use their strength to have a voice in their workplace. In the Yahoo finance video, "The future of labor unions as membership is on the decline," the guest speaker AFL-CIO Chief Economist William Spriggs, speaks on the future of unions. Spriggs states that unions provide a form in which employers can work through challenging situations by having that level of cooperation, making it easier for companies to adapt to these weird problems. In addition, unions can increase the wages of their members by increasing the demand for union labor, restricting the supply of work, and bargaining for an above equilibrium wage (Slide 32, Chapter 10). Through these efforts, unions can help increase productivity in the labor market. In addition, Spriggs speaks on the growth of the unions in technology companies such as Apple workers union and alphabet workers union that organize google cooperation with communication workers of America. In recent times, we have seen tons of people trying to create an Amazon union for the benefit of its workers. Unions have become people's voices when delivering their rights to the table. Spriggs also states, "over the past 40 years, management has been very disrespectful of American workers, and has gone with full force against the right to organize". The governments haven't been of much help when it comes to people coming together; therefore, during our times, protecting the right to organize is of the essence.

According to Spriggs, unions also helped many Americans keep their jobs during the pandemic and have helped bring workers back into the labor market. In addition, workers have lots of leverage against their employers because of their skill level; however, unions are there to protect those workers at Walmart and Amazon. Therefore, Unions have proven to affect productivity and allocative efficiency positivity.

Post #2:

Unions are controversial because of their negative impacts on firms, but the overall impacts of unions are positive. Higher costs associated with unions can lower profits in competitive markets due to reduced output and increased prices. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a 2020 report states that despite similar qualifications, union members typically earn 11.2% more than non-union employees for the same work. These higher wages can increase the likelihood for union members to be displaced by non-union members. In addition, unions can increase business costs when they use their power to disrupt productivity through strikes and other actions. These losses reduce profits and prevent further investments.

However, companies can increase productivity by improving managerial efficiency and techniques through the shock-effect, in which firms seek better methods to maintain profitability in order to offset higher costs of production. Higher labor wages allow management to improve the efficiency of operations due to increased union members' morale. Since these members usually stay longer, their gained experience reduces turnover costs. Another benefit is that companies can hire the best workers because higher wages attract skilled workers. In addition, union members are better able to comfortably speak up and address issues effectively as a result of greater job security. Through cooperation and negotiation between union and employers, collective voices have the power to improve working conditions. Overall, the higher costs of unions are offset by their positive outcomes and increased labor productivity.