Introduction
Labor unions remain an imperative component that facilitates national, regional and global economic development. Labor unions adapt different forms and approaches in their operations, but the fundamental aspect is the fact that they represent solidarity of workers. It is within the facet of labor unions that collective bargaining power of workers is enhanced and effectively implemented. Labor unions provide a platform where workers from different professions form a consensus to lobby for favourable working conditions, wage and salary enumeration, workers capacity building, health care and retirement benefits (Gordon & Turner, 2000). Labor unions have the obligation of protecting the rights and privileges of workers working in the private and public sectors. In order to achieve this goal, labor unions work closely with government bodies and institutions mandated with formulation and implementation of labor laws. Additionally, labor unions help workers subjected to harsh working condition and other form of intimidations sue their employers and represent them in court.
America has long and fascinating history related to labor unions. Industrial revolution remains one of the historical events in the American calendar that fuelled invention of labor unions. During the industrial revolution, workers worked for long hours, received low pay and worked in unfavourable working conditions. The government failed to stop this form of injustice; an idea that led to the formation of labor unions. In 1945, labor unions reached crescendo after non-agricultural workers joined.
Over the years, the number of labor unions and members has increased tremendously. Today, more than 15.4 million workers in private and public sectors belong to different labor unions (Anderson & Schnabel, 2003). Labor unions continue influencing American politics as Politicians lobby with officials of labor unions in winning trust of union members and their votes. It is presumed that politicians with the highest number of supporters from different labor unions garner more votes than their competitors. Many labor unions exist in American, but local laborers 310 remains one of the widely known and developed labor unions. It has stood test of time and embrace reforms in its operation.
Local laborers 310 unions background information and history
Local laborers 310 unions operate as a subset of the Laborers International Union of Northern America abbreviated as (LIUNA). As an international union, LIUNA acts as umbrella consisting of other labor unions across America and Canada. As an international organization, LIUNA has more than 860,000 members drawn across Canada and America and its head office suited at Washington D.C (About Us. 2000).
Local laborers 310 union has specialized in the construction industry. The union has 2,369 members, assets and capital value of more than $8.5 million and twenty-three senior officials. Since it was established on 8th May 1925, the union has continued to expand its operations and membership. Local laborers 310 union has it’s headquarter office suited 3250 Euclid Building; Cleveland, Ohio State (About Us. 2000). The Euclid Avenue Building has expanded the market niche of local laborers 310 unions because it acts as head office for several construction companies. In this case, workers from local laborers 310 union are hired to work in these construction companies as supervisors, bricklayers, plumbers and cement mansions. Over the years, the local laborers 310 union has provided competent, trained, skilfully and adversely talented workers required in the construction industry. The union has more than five hundred signatory contractors who seek construction services rendered by local laborers 310 union members. Local laborers 310 unions have adequate human resource trained as carpenters, brick and floor layers, plumbers, supervising engineers and cement mansions. In order to expand its market space, the local laborers 310 union has trained expertise who deals with disposal of hazardous construction materials.
Effective management system has played a pivotal role in the unions’ success. The leaders remain objective, result oriented and focused on the union’s mission, vision and values. The union’s mission articulates that membership should be based on plans, talents and methodology and not accidents. Local laborers 310 unions has signed a partnership with Ohio Laborers’s Training Centre; where its members are impacted with technical skills and knowledge required in construction industry. This move enable union members execute their roles, duties and responsibilities professionally and diligently.
Local laborers 310 union has formed a partnership with Constructors Employers Association and introduced apprenticeship program. This program enables the union recruit new union members that are endowed with unique talents and skills thus making the union relevant in the 21st century (Wagner, 2008). Members who manage to join the union under apprenticeship program undergo a vocational training for two weeks. Apprenticeship program was approved by U.S Labor Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training denoted as BAT in 1994. Ohio Apprenticeship council has approved local laborers 310 union apprentice program as it has meant all the conditions required by the law. Training standards used in apprenticeship program meet the international benchmarks thus allowing the union undertake international projects in construction. Local laborers 310 union plans to attain high ranks in membership and in provision of quality, reliable and affordable construction services.
Conclusion
Labor unions play a pivotal role in economic, social and political development. Labor unions promote workers collective bargaining power, lobby for favourable working conditions, salary enumeration and workers retirement benefits. More than 15.4 million workers belong to different labor unions. Emergence of industrial revolution fuelled the invention of labor unions in America. Local laborers 310 union is a member of Laborers International Union of North America with its head office suited at Washington D.C. Local laborers 310 unions has specialized in construction industry and provides skilfully workers. It has signed partnership with other organizations so that to enhance skills and knowledge of its members. The union aspires to attain high ranks in membership category and service provision in the future.
References
About Us. (2000, February 3). Building Laborers' Union #310. Retrieved April 3, 2013, from http://www.local310.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41&Itemid=94
Anderson, J. T., & Schnabel, C. (2003). International handbook of labor unions. New York: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Gordon, M. E., & Turner, L. (2000). Transnational Cooperation Among Labor Unions. London: Cornell University Press.
Wagner, V. (2008). Labor unions. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
