Assignment: Organization of Unions

This is a two-part assignment where you are expected to address Parts 1 and 2 in one well-written essay.

Part 1: Explain and respond to the following statement: "It is not the union that organizes the employees; it is management." In your essay, craft responses that a union organizer might make to some of the following statements from the Labor Relations in Action feature shown below:

Labor Relations in Action

Objections to Joining the Union

• "Why should I join the union when I get exactly the same wages and benefits without joining?"
• "I can't afford to join. I've got a family to support, and my check just isn't big enough (to cover union dues)."
• "I don't need a union. My employer is fair and will take care of me. What could the union get for me that I wouldn't have gotten anyway?"
• "The union does not do anything for you [grievances are not settled satisfactorily]. I don't like the people who are running things in the union."
• "I don't know enough about the local or the union movement."
• "I'm not interested. I just don't want to join."
• "I'll think about it. Maybe I'll join someday."

Part 2: In light of your response to the first part of this assignment, critically evaluate the arguments for and against the Employee Free Choice Act and the Mandatory Secret Ballot Protection Act. How would you vote? Provide your reasons.