BLOG ENTERY: 8 MIDTERM REVISION

 

UNIONS ARE NECESARRY FOR FAST FOOD WORKERS.

Jobs in the fast food industry are often young adult’s first taste of a working life. Inexperience and easy to control makes teenagers and young adults ideal employees. But young people and immigrants are mistreated and their rights are violated by these ruthless corporations. Living in a democratic country, young people like me have constricted freedom as these companies dictate our freedom of rights. The fast food industry does not allow its employees to join unions. These companies can go to any extent to stop unionization. “A labor union is an organized group of workers, who collectively use the strength to have a voice in the workplace” (Wikipedia).The main purpose of the unions is to fight for worker’s right and oppose big corporations which otherwise is impossible for an individual employee.  The labor union also provide benefits like health insurance, a living wage, better working conditions, immigrant’s right, and worker safety Therefore to fight against the mistreatment and unfairness of these multinational companies and to put an end to exploitation over workers right, it is extremely important for workers to form unions.

The goal of these corporations is to make money by any means. The working conditions are unfair. The workers get minimum wage, no health insurance, no benefits, have no life long careers goals and are often unskilled. Higher percentages of workers are mostly teenagers and immigrants. These jobs require no skills, flexible hours and provide little wage so these employees are willing to work under unfavorable conditions. The companies hire young people because they are easy to manage and lack experience. The adverse consequences are prevalent in our society. In America few teenagers go to college, most of them drop out of school or colleges in order to work in fast food restaurants. My friend who worked at McDonald’s dropped out of school, as she could not manage both study and work.  Her job became a priority for her as she could be independent with the little wage she earned. But now she regrets it terribly as the minimum wage does not support her family.  Also the working conditions and the work itself are very hard. In addition health wise, it is dangerous for workers who work indoor all day long with machines.

As described in the book Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, the fast food companies have adopted the practice of “throughput” which is all about increasing the speed of production (69). The employees are instructed to follow strict rules and produce higher output. Any one not following the orders is fired instantly. In the work sites often times workers are abused and their rights are violated. The companies hire managers who can control employees. This has led to managers mistreating workers and for little reward bonuses managers force workers to work extra time without pay and falsifies hour cards of employees to benefit the companies (75). Another issue that is increasing is crimes that take place in fast food restaurants. The safety of workers is a big concern. Often they are the victims of gun shooting and murders caused by robberies.

A union is necessary as it empowers workers to oppose the corporations. As individually they are worthless to these multinational corporations who can replace anyone anytime. However the fast food industry is against unionization and they will do just anything to stop its employees from joining or forming unions. As discussed in the book, MacDonald’s employees are forced to take lie detecting tests and many tactics were used to make employees confess and reveal secrets (76). And if the corporation discovered union activity then the employees are fired and the franchise is closed.  If any legal action is taken, then the companies hire expensive lawyers to fight its poor employees. The employees are powerless and always defeated.

The government has the power to control the functioning of corporations in the fast food industry. But the government gets donations from these companies so it does not fight for the employee’s rights.  The fast food employees depend upon food stamps and government welfare as they get minimum wage. However if they join unions, the union provides them with health insurance, benefits and can fight to increase wages. Unions can make a difference because if all the workers go on strike the company will face severe loss.  As every hour passes, these companies make millions of dollars. Unions can oppose these companies. Unions will fight for the right of the workers and will provide equal pay for equal work, a living wage and can make fast food jobs a decent job. The companies will be forced to work for the benefits of its employees. Therefore the fast food industry should allow its employees to from unions.