Unions are composed of nonsupervisory or nonmanagerial employees, including part-time workers. The union’s shop steward, elected by members, is the liaison between the union and the employer. He or she collects dues, recruit new workers, the first to contact the employer on the employee’s behalf regarding unfair labor practices. Unions are comprised of industrial unions, a local branch or affiliate of an international labor organization, or craft unions, unions that are organized around a particular craft. Agricultural and domestic workers, independent contractors, and those employed by their spouse or parent are excluded from the NLRA (Bennett, Hartman, 2001. p.445). The NLRA or National Labor Relations Act, established the right of employees to form unions, to bargain collectively, and to strike. The NLRB or National Labor Relations Board, is an independent federal adminis

One company currently involved with possible unionization is Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the U.S., and the largest retailer and corporation in the world. If unchallenged, Wal-Mart will shape the future for generations of workers and the communities where they live. The People’s Campaign—Justice @ Wal-Mart is a movement to change the course, and chart a new path for Wal-Mart from a low wage, low benefits, high turnover employer to a company that provides good jobs with living wages and affordable health care. (http://www.ufcw.org/issues_and_actions/walmart_workers_campaign_info/index.cfm)

In 1998, the EEOC, released a progress report on agency reforms since 1995 and launched a joint training project at an American Bar Association (ABA) meeting. EEOC Chairman Paul M. Igasaki stated, “While we find that our efforts have been largely successful, the report acknowledges that we still have a long way to go and provides recommendations to further increase our effectiveness. Recommendations include expanding the agency's efforts to encourage the legal and investigative staff in the field offices to work closely at all stages of our process, and requiring field offices to set strategic goals through their Local Enforcement Plans." (http://www.eeoc.gov/press/3-26-98.html). The EEOC's holds an annual national conference, named EXCEL, to provide an interactive educational forum for examining contemporary equal employment opportunity (EEO) and merit systems issues in the federal sector workplace. Participates include top-ranking officials from the EEOC and more than 10 other federal agencies, EEOC staff, private attorneys, union officials, and other subject matter experts. (http://www.eeoc.gov/press/7-1-02.html).

One company, Verité, researches issues of global sourcing

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