After a stint of unpopularity, it seems that the idea of collective bargaining is gaining momentum again. Google employees recently staged a walkout to challenge management’s handling of sexual harassment.
The NY Times also mentions the other complaints that the employees have against their employer. Some reported that Google had underpaid women while others asked for disclosures of salaries and compensation.
But their answer is right in front of them – labor unions. It’s true – it’s not some sexy millennial spectacle – but a core foundation that has been working on these and countless other human resource issues. A place where management and employee can discuss issues and find equitable resolutions. I guess as the saying goes, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
John Chen discusses in a Tech Crunch article how employees are turning to technology to discuss inequities in the work environments anonymously. Unfortunately, in this new age of “revising corporate culture” and having “open office” environments, the same “legacy” scenarios exist. Hierarchy challenges and office politics still play roles in work environments. How surprising… It’s unfortunate that the employees have to hide behind an “app” to air their grievances. It’s funny how the article states “there are very few places to gather and organize as employees of companies to collectively bargain for a better workplace.” I’d say they should “wake up and smell the coffee” but they might mistake it for a discussion about a Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte…
How about more challenges. It seems that some employers might fire you for not showing up for work during a natural disaster. Employees at a Pizza Hut in Florida were warned during Hurricane Irma that “Failure to show for these shifts, regardless of reason, will be considered a no call / no show and documentation will be issued.”. Although public safety and public health personnel may need to adhere to certain standards – we do need to staff ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, and hospitals during emergencies – the unions help define what is expected and at what costs (i.e.: lateness due to a large scale disruption in mass transit could be excused with no charge to the employees’ time).
It’s Not “Public vs. Private” – It’s Fair vs. Unfair
Rather than point the finger at how public sector unions are “…interest groups fighting to grab a bigger share of government revenue while sticking competing groups with the tax bill” the private sector employees need to recognize the other-than-fiscal benefits of unionization. I suspect overall wages might not a problem for most Google employees (notwithstanding the question of compensation between men and women). But the intangible (i.e.: non-cash) benefits such as the ability to file and discuss grievances without retaliation, have layoff protections, and the restriction of out-of-title work among other challenges provides for a stable and safe working environment.
The Ladders presented an article that suggests that 48 percent of workers they surveyed would join a union if given the opportunity to do so. The article reports that those surveyed were concerned with several key issues such as benefits, compensation, promotions and job security. They also voiced concerns regarding their influence on decisions about how and when they work, safety, and protections from discrimination.
So, it seems what goes around, comes around. As per the document “Rethinking and Reframing U.S. Policy on Worker Voice and Representation” by Thomas A. Kochan, ”Unions and collective bargaining have historically been the strongest and most consistent institutions for achieving gradual improvements in worker wages and for reducing income inequality within and across industries and occupations.” This was important to workers in every decade since the passage of the National Labor Relations Act as part of the New Deal in the 1930’s and is still important and relevant today.
You don’t have to agree with everything the unions support – especially at the government politics level. I certainly don’t. But I’ve always appreciated the local level protections and support. Private sector employees shouldn’t have to get to a point where frustrations and disgust drive them to walkout. Or tolerate poor working environments . Your health, your quality of life and your future is worth negotiating fairly and equitably for. Your fellow workers would agree.
Questions and comments are welcomed below.
