Labor Union Business Agents: Job Description, Education, Skills, Abilities, Duties, Earning and Outlook
Submitted by: paula
Job Overview In 1886, unions were first organized both in Europe and in the United States as a response to the industrial revolution of the 19th century. The workers, or the members of the union, through the collective bargaining tactics, were able to raise wages, increase benefits, get higher compensation and gain child labor laws because of this kind of organization. Labor union business agents as the title implies, are workers hired by labor unions who act as agents to manage the daily business matters of the union itself. They act as a liaison officer between the union and the different managements during negotiations of business contracts. They also take charge in any kinds of management of different business affairs for the labor union and inform the medical section of the events that happened. As liaison officers and managers, they are responsible for informing the union itself of the many concerns of their workers.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
If you wish to establish a career in becoming a labor union business agent, take as many subjects in business, English and mathematics as early as high school in preparation for the duties that will be required in the job. The post secondary training is not at all required. However, it is of great edge to have a degree in any one of the following: Business Administration, Economics, Political Science and Psychology.
Skills and Abilities
A labor union business agent must have the skills in leadership and management. These skills are needed in managing the workers, the activities and the interplay between the two parties: the union itself and the employer/s of their workers. Communication skills both in oral and written form are required in every negotiation that they make, in addition to the good interpersonal skills that will help them give good resolution to any disputes.
Duties
Labor union business agents are representatives of the rank and file, or the working members of the labor union. More often than not, they get the position by way of election in a democratic fashion. There are times though that they get appointed by the union executives or by the officers of the board. As representatives, they speak for specific number and class of workers.
The most important aspect of being a union business agent is their being a liaison officer. They go in between the employers or business organization and the workers. They speak out and negotiate with the employers regarding their worker's concerns and needs. They bargain with them as well. It is a must that they relay the decision of the other party to the workers and disseminate the union's stand to the issue. Some of the roles that they may take as situation necessitates include being conciliators, or mediators, referees and arbitrators.
Earnings and Job Outlook
The employment outlook for this kind of profession is expected to move as fast as the average for the other professions. This is because labor unions continue to emerge and that every economic activity has a resultant response from the laborers, and therefore from the labor union workers. The range of salary for this kind of job starts off from 50,000 to 65,000 U.S. dollars per annum. Those who are already seniors and have established a name in this kind of work may earn as high as 75,000 U.S. dollars and over annually. The salary depends on the location, the employer, the number of years of working experience and the size of the labor union he is representing.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.
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Word Count: 615 Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2011 Time: 11:49 PM
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