In the past unions were established to protect the employees from unfair labor practices. In the early 20th century jobs were performed without safety issues involved and paid very little for their job. The unions were stablished to provide the employee with a voice against bif corporations whereby the unions protected the little guy. The unions function along the same parameters today as it did before because in today’s economic times unions are needed as much now as then.

The unions were established to protect the employees from the corporation. Today the roles of the Union should increase because it is needed. Matthew Walters and Laurence Mishel (2003) says “Unions have a substantial impact on the sensation and work laws of both union and nonunion workers.” The unions run training programs and apprenticeship programs that place individual in good job to support their families. The working and living standards are raised for everyone that includes non-unionized members. The unions used collective bargaining to assist the general public. For example, Union teachers were able to bargain for classes that were smaller for their students. The nurses union was able to bargain for better care for their patients. The unions continue to grow because it is not just the maintenance workers, healthcare professionals or teachers in the Union.

There are other professional associations forming unions today. Today the most important contribution that the unions do is provide basic dignity for the employee. Today companies focus on making money at the expense of the employees. The companies are no longer providing healthcare, profit sharing and good pension programs to their staff. The companies are trying to cut their costs by increasing their money. The organizations are downsizing, contracting out and sending jobs off-shore. However the unions can prevent this from happening. Donna Brasile (2013) states “They’re vital part of our social and economic future”. Unions need to increase and exist to add to the quality of life for the citizens of the United States”.

Companies that have employees in the union is one area that human resource management needs to be aware. The role that human resource management personnel play in employee relations with the organization is to acts as a mediator. The human resource manager need to be aware of the company’s policy and procedures and the union contract so that there is no conflict. Ruth Mayhem (2015) says “…a firm grasp of labor management issues have a significant role as management representative in the collective bargaining process”. The Human Resource Manager has two roles. The first role is to create a strong relationship between the employee and the employer and protect the organization’s interest. The second role that the human resource managers does occur in contract negotiations where the balance the duties of both roles. They have to represent the company’s interest while bargaining with the representative from the labor unions. The ultimate goal is to satisfy both parties for the agreement. The company’s bottom line is improved because it has the knowledge of how human capital affects the success of the organization. They develop realistic and competitive wages for the employees. They develop training and orientation programs for the new and older employees. Also they recruit new staff on as a needed basis.

The role that the government should play is to oversee the interestes of the people and the corporations. The government should provide public goods and services then redistribute financial income to the poor. However, the government should be limited in some areas because the public feels that the government is doing to much. There are two views that people have such as the conservative view and the liberal view. The conservative view is that people will rely on the government to much. The government may not be able to solve the economic and
social problems which creates unreasonable expectations from the public. The government bereaucracy is lsow, so the problems will not solved quickly enough. So the role should be
limited. The liberal view is that the government ability to solved the problem is limited. The government can help becasue it can regulate the economic activity in the private sector. Their view is that the government should interven in the economy and not worry about personal freedom. Dinish D’Souza (2015) says “… we have limited government-that has defined, enumerated funtins, beyond which it should not operate.”

In conclusion, the unions are an integral part of the working force. The unions provide the opportunity for employees to work with dignity. The Human Resource Manager oversees the company and unions members whereby are all of the policy and procedures are followed. The goals of the employee and the employer are followed. However, the government’s role in the economy is controversial because it depends on the view that one has that is either liberal or conservative. The working class does not want the government involved that much in the work day world. However if citizens will voice their opinion if business interferes with their lives.