This week’s lesson discussed the ways in which unions begin initial organizing and campaigning efforts in a new work environment. Consider and comment on the following questions:

1. Unions ultimately rely on popular vote in order to legitimize their presence in a workplace, and this is obviously largely determined by the degree of employee dissatisfaction at such a time. However, how do other variables such as organization size, location, industry/occupation, workplace dynamics, etc. affect the likelihood of successful union establishment? Explain your answer.

2. In your opinion, must the relationship between union and employer during the initial phases of union emergence be adversarial? Are there ever situations in which the employer would or should welcome the presence of a union? When and why?