Evaluating the Pros and Cons of Union Membership  Evaluating the Pros and Cons of Union Membership The case of Angelica

Evaluating the Pros and Cons of Union Membership

 Evaluating the Pros and Cons of Union Membership

The case of Angelica Angulo is a typical conflict of a new hire, who is introduced to the unionized workplace. Her indecisiveness about becoming a member of the union at GEM Hotel Corporation is due to the non-exposure to the organized labor before and little knowledge on the possible implications. This essay presents a discussion on the pros and cons of Angelica joining the union with a practical consideration and ethical consideration concerning the rights of employees, solidarity in the workplace and personal choice.

The collective bargaining power is one of the main advantages of belonging to a union. The union allows the employees to be better negotiators of better wages, benefits, and working conditions than they would individually be. The studies indicate that union workers tend to have better remunerations and benefits packages than nonunion workers (Budd, 2021). This may translate to better employment opportunities and a better bargaining power to voice out workplace issues to Angelica. The union is also effective in offering legal services and defense against unfair treatment to the employees, something that is particularly beneficial to an individual who is still new to the working environment and might not know employment laws.

The other important benefit is that of workplace unity and belonging. Through the union, Angelica would find it easier to fit in the social structure of her workplace. The warm but insistent proposals of her colleagues show that the solidarity of the union membership could develop friendliness and mutual intent. Unions usually develop supportive groups that can help new workers settle in the organization culture, and this may ultimately lessen the feelings of isolation Angelica has and the divide that she feels between her and other employees.

Conversely, Angelica can be exposed to possible vices. The cost of membership in the unions is one of the issues. Payments and charges can minimize the amount of money left at home, which can be cumbersome to someone still in her career. Though such expenses finance collective bargaining and representation, there is still a risk that they may seem an unwarranted expense when Angelica may not see any personal payoff. Moreover, there are employees who are under pressure to follow the choices of unions when they do not agree with management. Such a loss of personal autonomy may cause inner conflict to those employees who cherish a personal choice more than group will.

The other potential drawback is the possibility of tension in the workplace. Since Angelica works in an open shop, the membership of the union is voluntary. In case she does not want to join, she can be subjected to subtle social exclusion or pressure by the members of the union, which can be demonstrated by the persuasive dialogue with Stephanie. On the other hand, the membership may bring her nearer to the nonunion employees or managers who take unions with suspicion. These dynamics take a lot of emotional intelligence and confidence, though, and Angelica may still be practicing these in her new professional life.

Angelica needs to consider long-term advantages of union representation versus her short-term interests to autonomy and financial expenditure. It would be beneficial to know the goals, the policies and the history of the union to get her make an informed decision. She would be able to present herself to the meeting in the union hall to get information before committing. After all, this decision must be made on the basis of the personal values and her future career in the GEM Hotel Corporation. Making a reflective choice would also allow her to achieve a fair, solidary, and independent stance in her new work environment.

References

Budd, J. W. (2021). Labor relations: Striking a balance (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Kaufman, B. E. (2020). Understanding labor markets and employment relations. Industrial Relations Research Association.