Reduction to lower tiers in the work force. Exploitation by employers. In order to preserve the labor protection and wage gains labor has won through the years, unions must be vigilant when Congress proposes bills which at first glance may appear to be labor friendly. This sense of unity strengthens the membership and can erode loyalty to the employer. This is critical, especially during the collective bargaining process when rank and file members are at the table negotiating with employers.
Unity also becomes a critical issue when attempts to organize workers takes place.
Rank and file members work closely with union activists in the work groups attempting to organize. Rank and file members point out the advantages of union membership, especially the advantages of having a legal, written, binding work contract between the workers and the employer. Other advantages pointed out to workers being organized include the ability to grieve those unfair labor practices and instances of abuse on the job when they take place. Violations of the contract can also be grieved. Let us now explore a few ways that the union utilizes the unity theme among the rank and file members.