Norma Rae Written Reflection

 Maddie D 



The question put forward in class for reflection on “Norma Rae” states, “how well-placed is belief in the marketplace and/or government action to ensure the success of labor?” Approaching this question forced me to define what I believe “success of labor” to be. For companies and the government, success of labor would mean tasks and jobs are completed in a satisfactory manner within an ideal timeframe to make the most revenue. For me and many employees, I think success in labor would look like having pride and dignity in work, being paid and treated well, and completing the work that needs to be done. I believe both of these definitions of success can be true simultaneously, but as discussed in class and seen in the film “Norma Rae,” historically and currently employees have been denied fair treatment. It seems that often the power given to the market and the government is too much and ends up allowing for employee abuse. Unions are important because they offer employees some power in their working conditions, but as we have seen historically and in Norma Rae, it is often barely or not enough to truly get employees what they deserve and need. Rather than focusing on the same methods that the US has used for so long, I think it could be possible to make greater changes with new solutions, like employee owned businesses. When employees have power over the business they are able to have a say in decision making which impacts them. It allows laborers to be more empowered and dedicated to the success of the company. In addition, employees' voices are heard and the right to fight for fair labor conditions is built into the job role. The system I see set up now doesn’t seem to be working for laborers, so maybe it’s time for new ideas. 





Comments

  1. David BernellFebruary 22, 2023 at 7:38 PM

    Employee owned companies have had a lot of success, and there's growing research saying that they've been good for workers. Here in Corvallis we have WinCo, which is an employee owned company. And until 2014 CH2M Hill was fully employee owned (it's no longer 100% employee owned).

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