Unionization

Workers create unions to advocate collectively their interests as wage workers. This process is known as unionization. Sometimes, this is in opposition to workers’ employers. This can happen, for example, when employers strive to keep costs low and resist expenditures, such as paying their employees higher wages. A single worker with commonly available skills lacks the power to stand up to his or her employer and ask for higher compensation, but a union of workers has the required strength to negotiate with employers. Unionized workers have the advantage of belonging to a group that can yield the political leverage that comes with greater numbers. In addition, it is harder to replace large numbers of workers, so unions protect workers from losing their jobs. Unions can ...