With the power of social media and the ubiquity of smartphones, labor activists are in the midst of waging a much needed revolution for workers’ rights in the United States. We’re seeing a rise in labor movements like Fight for 15, which is attempting to raise the national minimum wage to $15 an hour. We’re also seeing massive unionization efforts amongst such groups as teachers, hospital workers, and hotel workers.
This wave of activism points to a bright future for labor rights in the United States. However, the dust won’t be settling any time soon. When the dust finally does settle, it will be up to employers to make sure that the newfound rights of the labor movement are being respected and honored. It is important for these businesses to be proactive in recognizing the collective value of their workers and that their efforts towards collective bargaining are meant to both preserve workers’ rights and create a better working environment.
The downside to this is that many of these businesses are not equipped to handle the transition and could easily exploit the newfound rights of the labor movements. It is up to all individuals involved to make sure that the rights and benefits granted by the labor movement are properly enforced. This means developing comprehensive policies that protect the rights of workers without compromising on the employers’ rights of profitability.
The labor movement is at an important crossroads with labor rights gaining traction in the United States. It is important that when the dust settles, the labor movement has the opportunity to make their voices heard. But the way that the dust settles will likely depend more on the proactive efforts of employers than any other factor. Ultimately, the success of the labor movement in the United States will depend on the success of their collective bargaining efforts and how employers respond to them.
