Question 1
The labor union is formed by the healthcare workers and allows them to act as an entity when dealing with the workplace issues. It enables them to create what is otherwise known as the organized labor. However, many management views the unions as a significant threat to their existence because it impedes on the ability to make and implement major decisions. The presence of a union makes it difficult for the management to make unilateral decisions concerning the term and conditions of the work. The management, therefore, must resort to negotiations when they intend to make major decisions. The labor union, thus, plays as a middleman which must be paid attention to by the management and the health workers. Whereas the health care workers must pay dues to the unions, the management itself must incur cost in things such as the negotiation of contracts, benefits, and increase in salaries that must be negotiated by the labor unions. Therefore, the management will always strive to keep the labor unions out of the healthcare industry.
Question 2
The primary role of the labor unions is to organize formal associations whose function is to protect, fight for, and further the interests and rights of the workers with regards to their professional life. The unions are formed on a professional basis and are therefore essential for health workers such as the physicians and the nurses. For example, a nurse’s labor union fights for their interest in the working environment. It is imperative that the nurses need to work in safe environments and furthermore require their jobs to be secured. The labor unions can also act as an arbitrator between the employer and the nurse to ensure that any grievances are solved. It also gives the nurses the power to champion for their rights and advocates for changes that would work to improve their jobs. Through the labor unions, the nurses can get a chance to attend refresher courses and seminars that will ensure they improve their service delivery.
Question 3
Physicians also benefit a lot from the services provided by the labor unions. The physicians need job security and an assurance that they will remain employed even in the face of changes in their areas of specialization. They also require the labor unions to assure them that they cannot suffer from being obsolete in areas of work. With the prospect of conflicts in their areas of work, the physicians might benefit tremendously if in case they need legal redress as the physician’s labor union can provide them with one in case they cannot afford. The unions will furthermore assist the physicians’ members by reducing conflict in the areas of work by advising them accordingly through the application of the post and pre-conflict measures. The physicians also get the power to champion for their rights without the fear of contradiction or dismissal from the employers. Just like in any other union, the physicians can benefit from refresher courses which will place them on par with major healthcare challenges.
Question 4
When a health worker who is under a given union enters a conflict with the employer, other parties, or even the clients, it is the duty of the union to help mitigate the situation. If the conflict is legal, the union will hire a lawyer for their client especially if they cannot afford the services. The union itself can advise their client accordingly on how to solve the situation. Secondly, the union can also apply various strategies for preventing the prospect of their members engaging in conflicts by applying the techniques of the post and pre-conflict measures.