Why do workers join a union?

Running head: TOTAL REWARDS & UNION AVOIDANCE
Total Rewards & Union Avoidance
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TOTAL REWARDS & UNION AVOIDANCE1
1. Introduction
Human beings are rational creature and they act rationally in many different spheres
of their lives (Berlin, 2017). One of such spheres is joining a union. It is note that employees
join union with a rational approach, thinking of whether joining it would be advantageous for
them, or not. This paper shall elaborate on presenting a discussion on why employees join
union, considering one of the five pillars of Total Rewards (work-life balance) and explaining
how this pillar would best keep the employees content and decrease the ability of union
organiser forming a union, with a special focus on hospitality industry. This chosen topic is
of significance due to two reasons. First, the ones who are not in a union or do not know
anyone in labour or trade union, often are not sure about what the labour unions do and why
someone joins them. This topic would clear this doubt. Secondly, it would highlight how
work-life balance can keep employees satisfied and keep them away from joining unions.
2. Discussion
2.1. Why do EEs Join a Union
The nature of work is changing globally, with the increase in globalisation of
businesses. Majority of employees are trying shedding responsibility for providing them with
good pension, health insurance, job safety protections and reasonable working hours.
Researchers have devoted much time and efforts for straying why employees choose to join
unions. It is to note that labour unions, also known as trade unions, are the organisations of
workers that are formed for furthering the economic and social interests of its members
(Ahlquist, 2017). However, the key unsatisfactory factors that make employees join them
include- a) sense of job security, b) wages and benefits, c) working conditions, d) fair and just
supervision, e) powerlessness, f) participation, g) recognition etc.

TOTAL REWARDS & UNION AVOIDANCE2
It is to mention that security is one of the key human needs. In working environment,
employees often find themselves being dependent on their employers and on what they
consider as impersonal organisations (Keim et al., 2014). Every employee wants to know that
their jobs would prevail in the future and that they would be protected against all the unfair or
unjust or arbitrary treatments. The development of technology has made employees and
workers feel vulnerable to job loss. For instance, today thousands of robots are used in
manufacturing processes and the use of robots is expected to increase in the future. For this
reason, they look for unions who can make sure that their jobs are protected against all sort of
layoffs, promotions, recall etc.
With the same, the issues of bread-and-butter of employees are always been the most
important forces behind their unionisation (Smith, 2014). Higher wages, shorter working
hours, increased benefits; suitable work conditions are significant reasons for employees to
join a union. Often employees might think that the labour union, with its united strength
would make sure that fair wages are given to the workers in the community with all the
necessary benefits like paid sick leave, medical facility, holidays, pensions etc.
Again, there are some employees who find that the structure of unions offer them with
the opportunity for gaining the recognition that are not available to them within their business
organisation. For instance, an employees who is little educated might serve on a shop
committee or might even be elected as a position of influence like that of officer or steward
role. Also, there are many who have claimed that union memberships has helped them meet
their desire to gain a voice in the decision making process, which effects them in their
working environment. Unions give the workers the required power for negotiating for more
favourable working conditions and other benefits by means of collective bargaining. The
workers to feel as if they are lost in their large and complicated industrial society consider
unions as a last hope.