to the business the other is concerned about maximizing profits to its members. Wages While it is true that union workers have better wage scales than their non union counterparts, it must also be understood, at what cost this occurs. There is not an unlimited supply of moneys that an organization possesses. Union contracts by their nature are not open to discussion before the end of the contract. Unions themselves are not open to the concept of give backs, regardless of how the corporation is performing. Unions members are more likely to retain negotiated treatments, to the detriment of their fellow workers, rather than give these up. Morgan Reynolds states, in Power and Privilege, " Union pricing tends to increase the average level of unemployment among non union workers. The average level of unemployment among union members also is higher because of the inflexibility of union pricing." ( 165 ) What this means is many unions would rather except temporary layoffs than concede bargain for wages and benefits. The inflexibility of Unions to respond to economic crisis, ties the hands of many employers and prevents them from quickly responding to market conditions. The ever increasing union pay requirements become an a catch 22 situation without end. Unions demand pay increases, corporations raise associated costs to pay for them. The same union members demand more increases to keep up with the corporations increased prices. Benefits An ever increasing proportion of compensation goes towards fringe benefits. These benefits are no longer considered as a luxury provided in excess of wages but rather as part and parcel of the compensation package. Unions treat this as a requirement not a benefit. Unions are as inflexible with benefits as they are with wage. The most pressing issue concerning business today is the rising cost of Health Care. Many of the unions are unwilling to absorb this ever increasing cost. Companies are being expected to pi...
