...Labor Laws and Unions HRM/531 April 2, 2012 Susan Frear Labor Laws and Unions The United Postal Service (UPS) is a unionized company. A brief background will be given as well as legal issues and obstacles they may encounter, how the federal, state, and local laws could be breached because of the legal issues and why, and recommendations how to mitigate the possible litigation. As a part of the analysis the subsequent questions will be answered what are the benefits of UPS joining the union, what is the unionization process, how do they bargain, and what effects does the bargaining have on the organization. UPS started out as a messenger company in 1907 and has grown into a multibillion dollar corporation (UPS, 2011). Ups is the world largest package delivery company and leading global provider of specialized transportation and logistics services (UPS, 2001).UPS has 185,000 union members and 75,000 non union members. The majority of the UPS union members are a part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) which are a part of the (AFO-CIO) (Proyect, 2012). UPS operates under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), commonly known as the Wagner act (Thomas, 2001). Some of the legal issues include the legality of the proposals by UPS to change benefit packages, 2006 legal issue concerning the IBT’s right to designate a representative on a safety committee established by its collective bargaining agreement with UPS, and “The employee Free Choice...
Words: 923 - Pages: 4
...Labor Laws and Unions HRM/531 Jan 16 2012 Christine Healy Labor Laws and Unions In the following discussion will be an analysis of UPS (United Postal Service) which is currently unionized consisting of background information, legal issues and obstacles they may encounter, how the federal, state, and local laws could be breached because of the legal issues and why, and recommendations how to mitigate the possible litigation. As a part of the analysis the subsequent questions will be answered what are the benefits of UPS joining the union, what is the unionization process, how do they bargain, and what effects does the bargaining have on the organization. UPS started out as a messenger company in 1907 and has grown into a multibillion dollar corporation ("About Ups Highlights (company History) ", 1994-2012). Ups is the world largest package delivery company and leading global provider of specialized transportation and logistics services ("Company History (timeline)", 1994-2012).UPS has 185,000 union members and 75,000 non union members (). The majority of the UPS union members are a part of the international brotherhood of teamsters (IBT) which are a part of the (AFO-CIO) (Proyect, 2012). UPS operates under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA, commonly known as the Wagner act.) (Thomas, 2001). Some of the legal issues include the legality of the proposals by UPS to change benefit packages, 2006 legal issue concerning the IBT’s right to designate a representative on...
Words: 1039 - Pages: 5
...Labor Laws and Unions Walmart is one of the biggest retail stores in the world. Walmart operates worldwide with current total count of its stores reaching 9.667 stores worldwide (Walmart Corporate, 2011). Interestingly, Walmart is an organization that is currently non-unionized. This paper will provide brief background information on Walmart organization. Legal issues and obstacles that Walmart could encounter will also be identified. The writer will determine which federal, state, or local laws could be broken because of the legal issues and why. Finally, recommendations to minimize possible litigation will be provided. The second part of the paper will deal with scenario if Walmart joining a union. Effects of the union on Walmart will be discussed next on the paper. Organization’s benefits of joining a union will be analyzed. Process of unionization will be discussed. And ways on how a union bargains and its effects on Walmart will be considered. Walmart’s Background Walmart begins in 1962 along with other retail stores such as Kmart and Target. Walmart has a humble beginning, with its owner Sam Walton put up 95 percent of their money to open the first Walmart stores in Rogers, Arkansas. Walmart finally goes public ten years later in 1972 which brings more capital to the organization. Walmart starts booming in the 1980s, where in the period of 10 years, sales grow from $ 1 billion in 1980s to $26 billion in 1989. In 21st century, Walmart is serving more than 176 million...
Words: 781 - Pages: 4
...LABOR LAWS AND UNIONS The Kroger Co., situated in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of the country’s leading grocery sellers with financial revenue of more than 82 billion in 2010. The Kroger Co. covers numerous states with store arrangements that comprise “grocery and multi-department stores, convenience stores, and mall jewelry stores” (Kroger, n.d., para. 1). They function “under nearly two dozen names, all of which share the similar conviction in building sturdy local ties and brand loyalty with their patrons” (Kroger, para. 1). Food stores are their main commerce and account for almost 95 percent of the total corporation sales. Their convenience and jewelry stores and manufacturing facilities add to the rest of the entire sales (Kroger, n.d.). Kroger employees belong to the United Food and Commercial Workers union. In UFCW, the people form the union. They come collectively with their coworkers, and they put forward and choose by ballot union officers. They also establish the working circumstances and apprehensions bargained in an agreement, and they are part of a bigger movement to advance the lives of employees in the workplace and in their neighborhoods. The more employees who unite collectively, the more management will listen to what the workers have to say. In union there is momentum and without, “union employees have only a small number of rights such as minimum wage, overtime after 40 hours, and unemployment insurance” (Kroger, para. 2)...
Words: 624 - Pages: 3
...Labor Laws and Unions Paper Unionization is a tool which protects the rights of employees within work environments. The ideas surrounding unionization are vast; however, the practice itself is not as customary. An organization that is known for unionization practices is the Ford Motor Company. Unionization within the Ford Motor Company is existent in part because of the company’s size. The purpose of this article is to provide background on the Ford Motor Company, identify legal issues and obstacles, discuss laws that may be broken in regards to legal issues and obstacles, provide litigation recommendations, outline the benefits of unionization, define the unionization process, and discuss union bargaining and its effects. Ford Motor Company: Background The Ford Motor Company is an automobile manufacturer responsible for the production of cars, trucks, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), commercial trucks, and auto parts. The company was found by Henry Ford in 1903 and is well-known as one of the largest automobile manufacturers. Another level of responsibility the Ford Motor Company has taken on is vehicle financing. The Ford Motor Company operations are extensive with branches in North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific (Ford, 2012). The company operates numerous plants worldwide and employees thousands of employees some of which are United Autoworkers (UAW). Legal Issues, Obstacles, & Broken Laws The Ford Motor Company is one of three...
Words: 1395 - Pages: 6
...USPS: American Postal Workers Union APWU Ashley Young HRM 531 September 24, 2012 David Freeman APWU I. Brief Background a. Represents more than 220,000 employees of the United States Postal Service who are clerks, maintenance employees, etc. b. Known as the world’s largest postal union c. Been active since the 19th century. Initially, it was just the Post Office Dept. Until 1970s , it became the US Postal Service and postal unions were allowed to bargain collectively over wages and conditions for the first time. d. In the beginning, there were no bargaining right. Increases depended on the whim of congress. II. Current Federal, Local, State Issue a. Law states that, the USPS must request an advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission when making nationwide changes in service and of course, policies. Recently, the PRC dismissed a claim that was filed. b. The claim was filed requesting to the stop the implementation of changes that called for USPS to merge more than 40 mail processing plants and lower service standards. c. The APWU Nurses are still in negotiation of a successful contract to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. d. There was a recent case regarding the pay of traveling employees. It seems there was a disagreement on how to handle the pay of employees when an unexpected delay occurs in an overnight stay. i. Article...
Words: 1122 - Pages: 5
...Labor Laws and Unions Sonny Williams HRM/531 9/17/2012 Dennis Cashman Abstract An organization can be unionized or not, but with not being unionized can cause some major problems, because the organization can have its own agenda to which it doesn’t want to be unionized or it could be that it wants to maintain fair law practices while being completely free of any collective bargaining agreement (CBA). In either case there are benefits and disadvantages to both. When thinking of a company that wasn’t unionized. The one that comes to mind was Whole Foods. A company that is ran by its employees and is one of the biggest co-ops running today. Whole foods, has created a huge market for organic foods and for the companies that make those foods. The carry the best products along with some of the best customer service around. I also loved that it was started on a borrowed $45k back in 1978 and the business sense in me loves that they have come this far. Whole Foods has many obstacles related to be on top of the organic foods industry. The fair practice laws and employees rallying for unionization can be tuff ones to over come. The fair market act makes Whole foods and other companies treat employees fair with benefits and minimum pay, so if whole foods is making eight hundred dollars a square foot, which well above the industry standard. This could be a problem for Whole foods, because they have always kept less of its employees at...
Words: 735 - Pages: 3
...Labor Laws & Unions – United Parcel Service HRM/531 April, 2013 Abstract Labor Laws and Unions were established to protect the employees in an organization through maintaining his or her rights under law. The Clayton Act was established in 1914, which stated that employees had the right to join a union. Many laws have been passed since then to protect the rights of the organization’s and its unions. The United Parcel Service (UPS) is the largest employer of the Teamsters Union under the Package Division ("Teamsters package division,"). UPS is an excellent example of the benefits of joining a union it processes and its negotiation power. Benefits to Joining a Union There are many benefits to joining the United Parcel Service (UPS) Teamsters Union. According to the Teamster’s Package Division newsletter, the division represents package car drivers, air drivers, feed drivers, part-time loaders, unloaders, sorters and clerks ("Teamsters package division,"). Joining the Teamsters union offers opportunity for workers to receive better pay, benefits and improved working conditions. In 1997, the Teamsters union represented UPS when they went out on strike to receive better wages for part-time employees and to keep control over the union employee pension fund. The strike lasted 15 days and the outcome was in favor of the union and the employees. The company increased the wages of part-time and full-time employees, upgraded part-time positions to full-time and gave the union...
Words: 887 - Pages: 4
...Labor Laws and Unions This paper will include the background of the ExxonMobil Company. It will identify legal issues and obstacles that could be broken and will provide recommendations to minimize possible litigation. It will discuss its union policies and any benefits the employees may gain by joining and whether or not the union bargains; and if so, the effects it may have on the organization. ExxonMobil was formed in 1999 by a merger between Exxon and Mobil. It is a major United States producer of domestic oil production and is also involved in domestic petrochemicals and chemicals operations. They are strong competitors in the oil and gas industry with such rivals as Royal Dutch Shell and BP America. Over the years they have stayed committed to their explorations and development in the industry. In 2011 they achieved strong earnings and generated huge returns for their shareholders. According to the company, “ExxonMobil’s results for the third quarter of 2011 reflected a continued commitment to operational integrity, disciplined investing and superior project execution.” (Business Monitor International, 2012) ExxonMobil faces legal issues that include environmental, discrimination, and human rights issues. Some of the environmental issues include the possibility of oil spills and allowing pollutants to escape into the air, which can affect global warming. Because of these issues ExxonMobil has been criticized by a well-known environmental lobby group called...
Words: 990 - Pages: 4
...Labor Laws and Unions HRM/531 Labor Laws and Unions Unions employ labor laws to protect their members from organizations that operate in violation of the National Labor Relations Board. It is imperative that organizations such as Lewis & Lambert have a clear understanding of their union contract and the laws set forth by the NLRB. Lewis & Lambert Lewis & Lambert is Sheet Metal Contracting entity located in Fort Worth, Texas established in 1965 that prides itself in performance, quality, and value. The company is a unionized entity under contract with Sheet Metal Workers (SMW) Local 68. Lewis & Lambert's additionally owns a subsidiary, Sigma Building Services, providing HVAC, and plumbing services. Union Benefits. Lewis & Lambert employees gain the rewards of union benefits. "Union members earn better wages and benefits than workers who aren't union members" (AFL-CIO, 2011, para. 1). Additionally, Sheet Metal union members realize the advantages of health insurance benefits and stable workforce. Unionization Process. The organization employees entered the union upon its inception. The organization collected signatures of the employees calling for union representation and willing to pay union dues to Sheet Metal Workers (SMW) Local 68. According to HR Hero (2011), a minimum requirement of 30% of employees must propose induction prior to an election process (HR Hero, 2011, para. 2). Union Bargaining and Effects. Union representatives...
Words: 745 - Pages: 3
...Running Head: Labor Laws and Unions One Labor Laws and Unions By Amanda Garcia August 14, 2011 HRM/531 Instructor: Scott Beck Labor Laws and Unions Two Labor Laws and Unions The United Parcel Service is a well-known logistics company with a long history of union involvement. The UPS strike in 1997 was a result of part-time employees working for years at the same starting wage and on almost a decade long waiting list for full-time positions. For 15 days the employees of United Parcel Service went on strike and the company was dealt millions of dollars in lost revenue. The United Parcel Service made the decision to significantly increase full-time jobs by adding an additional 10,000 positions. The company also made an increase in part-time to full-time ratios by implementing a significant increase in job advancement opportunities. Since union involvement, UPS has become a company with more to...
Words: 743 - Pages: 3
...Running head: LABOR LAWS AND UNIONS Labor Laws and Unions Human Capital Management HRM/531 September 25, 2011 Labor Laws and Unions Unions have evolved and changed and so have companies in that top companies seem to prefer not having a union for employees. The purpose of unions in America have been consistently the same, stand with workers/members for stronger benefits, higher wages as well as racial and gender equality. Not the case for the most hated non-union company in America, Wal-Mart. “Its employees are not unionized in the United States, where the retailer has become infamous for its staunch opposition to labor groups. Even in Canada, it closed a store after workers there organized. But in the United Kingdom, Wal-Mart touts a growing roster of union employees and has negotiated contracts with entrenched labor groups in Brazil and Argentina for decades, (The Washington Post)” Wal-Mart has stores in about 13 or 14 countries, United States stores became stagnate while international stores accounted for nearly $100 billion in revenue, which is estimated at one quarter of the company’s revenue for a year. There has been an on-going battle with Wal-Mart to drop the anti union philosophy and give the employee’s the right to organize. An international alliance for Wal-Mart would seem inevitable with such good international numbers; however the company is standing ground by saying “We are a good corporate citizen (The Washington Post)”. One of the largest critics of...
Words: 732 - Pages: 3
...Labor Laws and Unions HRM/531 07/26/2012 L. Robinson Labor Laws and Unions In this paper I will briefly give background information on Union Pacific Railroad. Identify any legal issues and obstacles that Union Pacific may have or encounter. Discuss if any federal, state, or local laws were broken because of the legal issues and why. I will also provide recommendations to minimize any litigation. The Pacific Railroad Act of 1862 was approved by President Abraham Lincoln, it also provided the construction of railroads. Union Pacific Railroad is a transportation company chartered by Congress to build the nation’s first transcontinental railroad line. Because of the Pacific Railroad Act, Union Pacific was approved to build a line west from Omaha, Nebraska to California-Nevada line, there it was to join with the Central Pacific RR, which was being built at the same time from Sacramento, California. Each company after completion of the railroad was to be granted 6,400 acres of public lands. The Union Pacific Railroad has their headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Union Pacific Railroad is the leading railroad system in the United States. The Company has employees of more than 45,000, and operates at least 9,000 locomotives on 32,000 miles of track across 23 states in central and western United States. Union Pacific has purchased a large amount of railroads. Union Pacific’s main competitor is BNSF Railway. Union Pacific is one of the most powerful railroads in the country. It...
Words: 1285 - Pages: 6
...Labor Laws And Union Labor Laws and Unions I will discuss a brief background on Ford Motor Company. Identify legal issues and obstacles that this organization could encounter. Determine which federal, state, or local laws could be broken because of these legal issues and why. Provide recommendations to minimize possible litigation. What are the organization’s benefits of joining a union? What is the unionization process? How does a union bargain? What effects does union bargaining have on the organization? Ford Motor Company Background The Ford Motor Company was founded in 1903 by Henry Ford. The Ford Motor Company established itself as being one of the biggest automotive makers in the world. Ford is well-known for making cars and trucks. Ford is also in the business of financing vehicles. Ford has about 78 plants worldwide, Ford employs about 166,000 around the country and 41,000 United Auto Workers (UAW) within the United States. “Ford announced a new four-year labor contract with the United Automobile Workers union in October 2011. The company agreed to add 12,000 jobs and invest $6.2 billion in its United States plants. The numbers included 6,250 jobs and $2.4 billion in investment that it had previously announced” (New York Times, 2011). Legal Issues and Obstacles Ford Could Encounter The current recession has forced many workers and unions to take reductions to avoid Ford and other companies from outsourcing their production. In signing a new contract with...
Words: 1096 - Pages: 5
...Labor Laws and Unions John T. Smith HRM/531 - Week XX XX January 20XX Joseph P. Stevens Labor Laws and Unions If one has not been living under a rock these past few years, he should be aware of General Motors (GM), once the greatest automobile manufacturer in the United States, fall from grace. It was not always so bad. According to GM’s website, GM was founded by William “Billy” Durant on September 16, 1908. Durant became a leading manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles in Flint, Michigan, before making his foray into the automobile industry. At its inception, GM held only the Buick Motor Company, but in a matter of years would acquire more than 20 companies, including Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and Oakland, today known as Pontiac (General Motors, 2012). Two weeks shy of 101 years from the day it was founded, GM filed for bankruptcy and subsequently was bailed out by the Obama administration. The union that represents General Motor autoworkers is the United Auto Workers (UAW). The UAW does not represent automobile manufacturers themselves, but employees who work for them. The longer version of its name is, “The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America.” According to UAW’s website, they are one of the largest and most diverse...
Words: 859 - Pages: 4
