How the Labor Movement Supports the Needs of All Working Families

Relying on the goodwill of heads of companies to provide protections to employees is not enough. The Labor Movement is what protects the common interest of workers for American families. The Labor Movement supports the needs of working families, particularly in terms of policy advocacy as well as financial stability, along with safety and health. The labor movement provides better wages and benefits for workers, allowing them to support their families financially. Through collective bargaining and negotiations, labor unions have been able to secure better healthcare benefits, higher wages, and retirement plans for their members. This helps workers to be able to provide for themselves and their families, ensuring financial stability and security.

One of the most influential outcomes to American families in the labor movement was the creation of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The act stated the rights and benefits of employees. Today, The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has created an extensive listing of employer actions that it considers would unduly interfere with an individual employee's labor rights. An employer cannot interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of their rights. An employer may not try to dominate or interfere with the formation or administration of any labor organization, or to contribute financial or other support to such an organization. An employer may not discriminate against an employee in hiring, or tenure of employment, or any term or condition of employment in order to encourage or to discourage membership in any labor organization. An employer may not discharge or otherwise
discriminate against an employee in terms and conditions of employment because he or she has filed charges or given testimony. Most importantly, an employer will be in violation of the NLRA if the company refuses to bargain collectively with the representatives of the employees, refuses to recognize a majority union, takes unilateral actions, refuses to provide necessary information to union representatives, refuses to sign a written contract once an agreement is reached, or imposes conditions on its willingness to bargain.

Although there are protections in place, Unfair Labor Practices still exist in today’s workforce. Unions must strive to protect the needs of working families through The National Labor Relations Act to keep management from infringing on their rights. As I enter into the workforce in the next few years, I hope to benefit from these protections.