HOW DO UNIONS PROTECT EMPLOYEE RIGHTS?
Many may feel it is an individual-based practice for the job searching process. The same sentiment can be applied to working in a specific industry afterwards, even though colleagues surround you. A feeling of not being adequately looked after or even having your rights protected may be a permeating reality.
That is where the importance of unions may come into play. Unions can be seen as third parties who watch the operations of a specific industry from the outside. If there are any unethical, or even illegal, assessments of an employee, they will take to the defence of the worker. Their importance goes beyond that sentiment,
Let’s learn about how unions can protect the rights of employees:
1. Building Worker Power
As mentioned previously, workers may feel as if they are powerless in their position when it comes to stating an opinion. Management may hold power, which extends to how things are done in and out of the workplace. Thus, the potential for unethical or illegal operations to occur increases.
Once they are put into a position of power, unions ensure that workers have a say in many aspects. They will stand up for employees in numerous situations and consider their well-being. Moreover, it allows employees to build power together, which can go a long way into the future!
2. Employee Solidarity
There could be circumstances in which an employee’s rights may be inadvertently infringed upon. Even if they can cover their bases through the right legal representation, the process can be difficult. Therefore, having more individuals of the same stripes in one’s corner makes sense.
The more employees come together in a union, the more bolstered that teamwork becomes for the future. As soon as more employees band together and stand up for themselves, it creates a precedent that prevents rights from being violated. Plus, there is huge potential to come about from this form of teamwork down the line.
3. Bargaining
Fighting for a correct wage may be a top priority for many union members. That is because some wages may have been stagnant for years, depending on what industry is being discussed. Unions will collectively bargain with a management team to see what is possible.
It is not just about discussing what wages may be possible during these bargaining sessions. Those in unions may also discuss work hours or perks such as vacation hours, typically with the help of employment lawyers like ELT. Once they are successfully bargained for, they set an example of how to best treat future employees.
4. Discussing Safety Practices
Another crucial area to talk about when protecting employee rights is the right to work safely. There are a ton of industries in our workforce that may choose to skip over regulations or cut corners elsewhere. Not only can this be regarded as illegal, but it directly puts the worker in harm’s way.
Unions will attempt to discuss how to best implement safety practices in and around the workplace. These new measures can go a long way in physically and mentally protecting the employee. By doing this, employees can rest assured that their well-being is put first.
5. Investigating Discrimination
In some other circumstances, unions will fight for an individual that has been let go because of an instance of discrimination. While it is codified in most laws, an employer could still see no repercussions if they terminate a working arrangement in a discriminatory manner. It does not just have to be about potentially racist interactions, either.
Discrimination can come about in multiple formats as well. Some employees could be let go due to sexist policies or policies violating their basic human rights. If this turns out to be the case, a union will act promptly and investigate the claim that has been made. Once this is done successfully, the worker may be reinstated or compensated accordingly.
6. Long Term Protections
Unions have been impacted when ensuring workers’ rights are safeguarded. However, the long-term goal is to set an example on how to best protect the rights of all people. However, that first starts with ensuring an employee’s rights are safeguarded.
Ensuring that health and safety precautions are put into place permanently establishes a foundation. This can then be adopted across society in different public sectors to say in matters. Not only does it help in the short term, but it plants roots. While it may start at the workplace, ensuring the rights of everyone is the ideal being strived for!