What Are the Benefits of Joining a Union?

Unions have done a great deal to improve the plight of workers in the United States by improving working conditions and increasing employee wages and benefits.

Workers can benefit from joining a union

History

Unions came about in the late19th century as a way to force employers to improve oppressive working conditions. Through continuing effort, workers have been able to obtain better working conditions and higher wages.

Significance

Companies with unions often pay higher wages than nonunion companies in the same industry. According to the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), union workers earn 30 percent more than nonunion workers.

Fringe Benefits

The AFL-CIO also indicates that union workers have better fringe benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. This can provide workers with excellent insurance coverage while helping to keep premiums reasonable.

Misconceptions

Unions do not benefit only blue-collar industrial workers. The AFL-CIO statistics indicate that 53 percent of union members are white-collar professionals such as teachers.

Identification

Joining a union identifies workers as part of a large group. This strength in numbers gives employees greater power when it comes to negotiating contracts.

References

• AFLCIO.org
• Paint157.com