Rafael RamirezMrs. KaufmanGovernmentApril 22, 2014Unions: Representing America's WorkersUnions are the legal representatives of workers in the United States. They primarily negotiate with employers for higher wages, benefits, and better working conditions. However, there is major controversy over whether unions should even exist. Some people favor unions because they benefit greatly from them. Others view unions as self-serving organizations. America's workforce would not be the same without unions fighting for workers' rights. In the past, workers worked long hours in the worst working conditions, six days a week, with low pay. Today, it's unheard of and it's illegal. Unions have contributed greatly to eliminating all injustices within the workforce. Unions have advocated for labor laws and regulations that protect workers in the labor market. As a result, the National Labor Relations Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act were passed. Unions act as the voice of workers by identifying areas where laws and regulations are needed. According to the "Unions Today" article on UnionPlus.com, "Employers are trying to shed responsibility for providing health insurance, good retirement coverage, reasonable work hours and workplace safety protections." . Employers today are trying to avoid having to pay for their employees' health benefits, especially now that Obamacare is in effect. This affects today's workers because people are losing their jobs or being given fewer hours, making it difficult for them to support themselves or their families. In today's economy, prices are only going up, so having a job is necessary. With unions, Americans can demand better wages and more work hours because unions benefit the American workforce. Unions give workers strength in numbers. Together, workers can achieve what they want, whether it's better pay or more hours. Union workers receive better benefits than non-union workers, such as workplace safety. Even though there are union dues to pay, the benefits are worth it. From an employee's perspective, the decision whether or not to join a union should be a no-brainer. Works Cited Becker, Amanda. “US judges wary of free speech arguments in union dues challenge.” Reuters.com. January 21, 2014. the web. April 15, 2014 “Unions today”. Unionplus.com. Internet. April 17, 2014 Stohr, Greg. “Union Dues Debated in Supreme Court Case Concerning Labor Power.” » Bloomberg.com. January 21, 2014. the web. April 17, 2014. “United States, Appellant, V. Travis Paul Enmons ET AL. » www.law.cornell.edu. Internet. April 17 2014.