Labor relations: week two topics and overview

Labor Relations

Labor unions have played an important role in employment practices in the United States for a long period of time. However, union membership and the number of unions have been declining in the recent decades though the decline varies by region. Despite the decline, labor unions have continued to play an important role in the determination of the terms and conditions of employment for employees. Labor unions influence employment terms and conditions for workers through acting as mediators in any employment-related issues. Moreover, these organizations help in advocating for employees' rights and protecting workers from employment discrimination. Therefore, the death of labor unions in the United States would have considerable impacts on employment terms and conditions as well as practices.

If the labor laws were repealed and labor unions made illegal, employment policies and practices will be significantly affected with regards to the terms and conditions of employment for workers. One of the major ways through which such an initiative would affect employment terms and conditions is contributing to the loss of the right to collective bargaining of the pay and benefits of many ordinary workers (Meyerson, n.d.). In this case, employers would embrace measures that may not help in ensuring that employees' wages and benefits match their contributions or input to the organization.

Secondly, if labor laws were repealed and labor unions made illegal, employment terms and conditions would be affected by making employees lose the power to determine employment practices and the nature of the working environment. Apart from pay and benefits, labor unions play a crucial role in ensuring a suitable work environment is established to promote effective employment practices. If labor unions are made illegal, employees will not have any influence on the nature of the work environment and employment practices.

Selection Process for National Labor Relations Board

The National Labor Relations Board was established on the basis that its members would not only be neutral but also non-partisan. However, in the past few years, the agency has attracted considerable attention related to various decisions it has made. Apart from the decision making process, the Board has also received considerable attention regarding whether the selection process for determining its members is too politicized. Based on an analysis of the history of the Board, NLRB's selection process for determining its members is too politicized. The membership of NLRB is largely determined by appointees of the President, which has contributed to an increased partisan approach and politicized atmosphere in the Board's operations. The increased politicization of the Board's membership is also demonstrated by the fact that the appointments are not necessarily made based on individual qualifications but political persuasions of the appointees.