Free Labor Union Ethics Essay Example

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Ethics training in a union environment is very important. Workers depend on unions to settle disputes, provide support, clarify policies and maintain fairness for all. Curran (n.d.) states that “ethics are the morals, concepts, and ideals which we live by” (Curran, n.d.). So it is important for union workers to have the appropriate ethics training to meet or exceed union training goals.
Three of the most important goals of the union ethics training are to attract and develop new leaders, to foster an understanding of ethical concepts and to increase obedience to standards. The attraction and development of new leaders is important as Cohen 2008, states “Unions need activists to serve on committees, to do research and writing, to organize” (Cohen, 2008, 370). Furthermore, activists provide new ideas and lend their talents to the ongoing goals of the union. Unions must attract new members, and strengthen the membership within the union, and garner public support for their cause. Because the union is all about the ability of its members to together, it is important for these goals to be met on a constant basis.
Fostering an understanding of ethical concepts is also an important goal of union ethics training. This type of training is needed because individuals must be familiar with fair representation, fiduciary duties and other quasi legal concepts in order to adequately represent and support their union workers. This training also helps to coordinate the efforts of union workers and ensures that initiatives are being supported and understood by its shop stewards.
In addition to developing new leaders and understanding ethical concepts, union ethics training aims to increase obedience to the laws. These laws provide appropriate standards of free speech, fair representation, and nondiscrimination among represented workers. This training is necessary because it prevents conflicts of interests that may arise between the union representatives’ personal agenda and the needs of the union members. Union representatives are taught to obey bargaining procedures and not to personalize any representation.

References

Cohen, M. (2008). UNION ETHICS TRAINING: BUILDING THE LEGITIMACY AND
EFFECTIVENESS OF ORGANIZED LABOR. WorkingUSA, 11(3), 363-382.
Curran, J. (n.d.). Ethics and the Unions - Part 1. Retrieved March 5, 2015, from
http://www.iww.org/history/library/Dolgoff/newbeginning/1