I found my survey results rather disappointing. Because half of the takers were unemployed, and the majority were 18-24, most results were random guessing and many free-response answers were ignorant or left blank. However, some results were interesting. For example, for the questoin about functions of unions, some people actually said suppress employees or take money from workers. Additionally, some said unions benefit neither the employer not the employee. No survey taker realized the benefits globally from mandatory unionization. I think this survey just showed how Americans still view unions as "corrupt" and that any form of control (by mandatory unionization) is right infringement. No survey taker looked at the big picture of WHY unions are necessary. Clearly, Americans only look at how they are directly affected and focus on any small amount of negativity on the subject, disregarding the mass benefits of mandatory unionization.
About Me
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Survey Results
I found my survey results rather disappointing. Because half of the takers were unemployed, and the majority were 18-24, most results were random guessing and many free-response answers were ignorant or left blank. However, some results were interesting. For example, for the questoin about functions of unions, some people actually said suppress employees or take money from workers. Additionally, some said unions benefit neither the employer not the employee. No survey taker realized the benefits globally from mandatory unionization. I think this survey just showed how Americans still view unions as "corrupt" and that any form of control (by mandatory unionization) is right infringement. No survey taker looked at the big picture of WHY unions are necessary. Clearly, Americans only look at how they are directly affected and focus on any small amount of negativity on the subject, disregarding the mass benefits of mandatory unionization.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
USPS photos
<- This is an image of Southeast Michigan's United States Postal Service Metroplex building. It is over 8,000 square feet, located in Pontiac, Michigan.
<- This is close-up view of the sign in the previous picture. Notice it says "Michigan Metroplex P & DC." The P & DC stands for production and distribution center.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Second Life
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Revision Reflection
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Labor unions
In the essay “Between Soldiers and Bombs: Iraq’s Fledgling Labor Movement” from Multinational Monitor (2005), David Bacon discusses the efforts of Iraqi workers to form unions to fight against US occupation and unfair economic laws. During Saddam Hussein’s reign, he issued legislation banning unions and any form of collective bargaining. Even though the US is now occupying Iraq for supposed “liberation,” Saddam’s legislation has not been dismantled. Quite the opposite, new laws have been issued that also limit the rights of workers in Iraq. The two major developing union organizations in Iraq are the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) and the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions of Iraq (FWCUI). Although the IFTU and FWCUI disagree on some political issues, they both are fighting for fair wages for workers. Unfortunately, not only do they face government opposition, but union heads within these organizations are being targeted by extremists left over from Hussein’s secret police. There have been 3 murders of such individuals as well as kidnappings. While the some unions have been successful in raising wages- most from $35 per month to $100 per month- the developing of unions in Iraq still has a long way to go.
Marvin Kosters analyzes the history of unions in his essay “Unions and the Economy,” from The World and I (2004), stating that the power of unions to negotiate worker wages is directly dependant on the strength of competition within the labor market. Unionization in America is steadily decreasing. Due to global competition, American unions are likely to continue to decrease because it will be impossible for companies to continue to increase wages and still be competitive in the global market. The public perception of unions has been very beneficial to the growth of unions until recently. In the public’s eyes, unions were made to help employees earn reasonable wages, which today, although not necessarily in the near future, is not a big issue because of state and federal mandated minimum wages. In addition, in the 60’s and 70’s unions were partially blamed for the large amount of inflation of the U.S. dollar. Even with the public’s swaying perception, no legal work was passed in order to voice the general public’s opinion in the national government. Because of the current changing economy, unions are sure to see further change and grow in influence.
In her essay “Local Rx: Developing Return-to-Work Programs in Unionized Companies” from Risk Management (2009) Rebecca Shafer describes the difficulties employers have to create Return-to-Work Programs with the Unions trying to keep the worker on leave by all means. Unions fight for injured workers’ worker compensation and getting the employers to cover medical expenses. Employers are trying to offer return-to-work programs to get the employee back to work in a timely fashion in order to cut expenses and keep up productivity. Employers face restrictions from the collective bargaining agreement, making it difficult to make arrangements to transfer employees around if needed. Employers also have to be careful that they are bargaining in “good faith” so they do not face any violations. However, the employers argue that they should not even have to bargain this agreement with the Unions because it is their right to manage their business, thus allowing them to implement the program on their own. Unless employers realize the steps they need to take to eliminate loopholes and manage issues of past-practices, the careful song-and-dance of bargaining return-to-work programs with unions will continue.
As unions have grown and developed in the past in America, they are presently doing so around the world. However, American unions are facing some external pressure to change their policies in order to accommodate the changing global market. Labor unions world-wide are battling opposition from the government. Be it Saddam’s outdated laws in Iraq or the United States’ economic recession requiring greater global competition, labor unions are faced with many challenges. Union organizations have a difficult fight ahead of them to maintain fair wages while also battling legislation that outlaws their very existence.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Research Proposal
Samantha Shanaberger
COMP 106
09-23-09
Right to Work Laws
Forced unionization is currently being debated due to high unemployment rates and the economic recession. While some states are pushing for Right to Work laws, which outlaw mandatory unionization, I plan to research the benefits of Union states. Union representation is largely better for employees, and overall better for the States’ economies.
I hope my survey will be taken by various age groups and occupations so my results represent the general public’s opinions. My goal is to phrase the questions and answers in a way that the survey takers are able to form their own opinions and express them accordingly. The questions in my survey are about whether unions are good or bad for global markets versus local ones, their willingness to join a union, as well as issues such as monthly dues and the media’s portrayal of unions. I hope to yield supportive results so I won’t have to adjust the survey too drastically.
I plan on interviewing an adult who has been or is currently in a union. This way, they can express both the benefits and detriments of being in a union from first-hand experiences. Hopefully, hearing testimonial from such an interviewee will educate readers on union’s benefits. I plan on asking questions about instances where the union stepped in to deal with company issues, about dues, meetings, benefits, being informed by union-heads, and about their overall experience with their respective union. Although I face problems such as good arguments on both sides, and the difficulties of researching a large national issue, I hope to be successful in showing that mandatory unionization is actually the better choice.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=KfdmWt4UCJBGHxTtkhrF9g_3d_3d