Unionization is defined as the “process of organizing the employees of a company into a labor union which will act as an intermediary between the employees of the company and its management” (BusinessDictionary.com, 2014). When a group of people lobbies for unionization, first, they must be considered as employees of the company where they would want the labor union formed. Just recently, the Northwestern University Football team won their bid to be unionized. It is agreed that student-players should be considered as employees and be allowed to vote to be unionized. This essay discusses several points to justify this argument.
In this particular case, where Northwestern University Football players have presented their bid to be unionized to the National Labor Relations Board, the players consider themselves employees of the University. This is because of the service rendered for the athletic program of the university. For one, they are required extensively long hours (around 40-50 hours per week) for practice, more than what is required of a regular company employee and more than the NCAA’s mandate (Rossman-Reich, 2014). Moreover, with this particular university, players attend school to play their sport (as this is the main element of their degree requirements) and not academics (as strongly opposed by the university) (Rossman-Reich, 2014). Keeping their scholarships rely mainly on their performance in football. This opinion, together with the notion that players should play well to maintain their scholarships, are the main points of consideration for players to be considered as employees, with their scholarships considered as salaries. Now considered as employees, the players were granted the favor to be unionized.
Another main point raised in favor of the ruling is the fact that college sports are used commercially to make billions of dollars in terms of revenue. College football, in this case is an enterprise that is dependent on the players’ ability to play well and provide for good entertainment. When a team is composed of exceptional players, it is more likely that they will play well and win more games, increasing the sport’s entertainment value thus pulling in more revenues. In this light, players are looked at more like employees of a company rather than students of a university (Bennett, 2014).
Lastly, with unionization, players can now lobby for other benefits aside from salary (or scholarships). One of which is better medical care benefits. This should cover both existing and former player injured during a game and for those whose injuries have left them handicapped for life. Another would be to guarantee scholarships for 4 years plus an extension of 1 year beyond a player’s eligibility, to focus on academics. Thirdly, in as much as football or any sport is the priority of many players, some would want to prioritize attending classes instead. Lobbying for lessened practice hours would definitely allow them to attend classes more. In line with this, players can now seek true academic support and start getting real education as opposed to some programs offering fake classes to keep the players eligible. Lastly, a union can help the players rally for higher stipends during their collegiate years. This would ensure financial stability during their playing years in school (Yahoo Finance, 2014).
This NLRB ruling is considered as a historic and revolutionary step towards the improvement of student-athletes’ benefits and compensation and offers a fair ground to play their favourite sport while getting good education at the same time.
References
Business Dictionary (2014). Unionization. Retrieved from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/unionization.html
Rossman-Reich, P. (2014, March 26). NLRB grants players right to form union, a double-edged sword. [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.laketheposts.com/2014/03/26/nlrb- grants-capa-032614/
Bennett, B. (2014, March). Northwestern players get union vote. ESPN. Retrieved from http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/10677763/northwestern-wildcats-football- players-win-bid-unionize
The Exchange. (2014, March 28). If not wages, what should college athletes collectively bargain for? [Web log post]. Retrieved from Yahoo Finance http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/the- exchange/a-union-that-doesn-t-want-wages-183010406.html
