Unions have helped shape the American way of life. However, there are some who favor unions because of their positive effects and vice versa. Both of these categories have valid points. Union members enjoy many benefits that, without the formation of unions, would not be easily accessible. Business owners felt the negative consequences of unionization more. So who is right, if unions are stopped or companies suck them up, is there a way to achieve a happy ending between the two. The labor movement in the 1930s began to form unions to benefit the mistreated working population of the Great Depression. These unions had given many workers an opportunity they had never had before: to finally choose the working conditions under which they would work. These new union members had a multitude of tools with which they could achieve their desired results. Hirsch states: “In workplaces where a majority of employees have voted for representation, a union serves as the exclusive bargaining agent for workers and provides a collective voice in dealings with employers” (Hirsch). One of these tools was collective bargaining, essentially one-on-one between the employer and union member representation to bring about changes in wage rates and working conditions. Usually ending in a deal of which the union members were ultimately the benefactors. In the event that there is an impasse on terms, the union would most likely go on strike until they win their case and an agreement can be reached. It is essentially one of the most powerful tools unions have. It would make any company shudder at the thought of losing money due to production shutdown. In other cases, they were able to help themselves, but not... middle of paper ... this should be taken lightly, but the fact is that change is necessary. Unless our economy continues to slowly collapse. Works Cited Barrientos, Stephanie and Sally Smith. “Do workers benefit from ethics.” Third World Quarterly 28.4 (2007): 713-29. Print. Griswold, Daniel. “UNIONS, PROTECTIONISM, AND AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS.” Journal of OTAC 30.1 (2010): 181-96. PrintHirsch, Barry T. “Slow Institutions in a Dynamic World: Can Unions and Industrial Competition Coexist?” Journal of Economic Perspectives 22.1 (2008): 153-76. Print. Meeusen, Wim, Vesna Stavrevska and Glenn Rayp. “Efficiency wages, unemployment benefits and wage negotiations between unions and companies: the question of choosing the external option”. Journal of Labor Research March 32.1 (2011): 75-86. Print.Welch, Jack and Suzy Welch. “A week of hard blows for business.” BusinessWeek May 18, 2009: 72. Print.