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Labor Relations

Labor Relations
From child labor to modern day unions, labor relations have been a major deal in the United States especially in the industrial age. Unions and labor relations will be defined while examining the impact on organizations. An organizations performance is impacted by employee relations strategies, policies and practices. Unions used to impact elections and were highly sought after for endorsements of most candidates running for office. Unions have lost their impact and acceptance in recent years. What has caused the decline and will unions regain any relevance in the United States? Labor relations will be vital to future company growth and financial gain. Some companies have to deal with unions while others will have to deal with government regulations and intervention. Concentrating on labor relations will become a specialized function of human resource management.
Definitions
Unions are organizations formed to represent their members' interests in dealing with employers (Noe, L, Gerhart, & Wright, 2004, chap 14). Labor relations emphasize skills managers and union leaders can use to minimize conflict and seek solutions to disagreements (Noe et al., chap 14). From the founding of the first trade union in the United States, unions have gained influence in American society. During the turbulent 60's and 70's, unions range of influence was extended by purported associations with organized crime, this helped see a decline in the unions influence entering the 80's and 90's. Companies have worked with and without unions to improve workers conditions and pay. Companies today realize that keeping a productive happy employee requires more than high salary, it includes benefits. Employers offer varying benefits but employees determine what makes them happy and want to stay. Employees also decide what is necessary to provide the performance their employer is looking to gain.
Performance
Unions lower productivity of workers. With...