Can Strong Unions Reduce Job Insecurity and Attrition in IT and Retail Sectors?

A large number of workers are employed in the IT sector and retail sector, where there is high job insecurity and attrition rates. Establishing strong unions for these sectors can help address many workforce issues and provide advantages for employees, employers, and enterprises.

So, who is to bell the cat? Since the employability of the IT employees is higher and the retail workforce is widely scattered, unionization is normally not possible in such sectors. Even otherwise, certainly the employers won't allow it to happen.

Challenges in Uniting the Workforce

Uniting the disgruntled and dissatisfied insecure workforce is a little difficult in such sectors, but determined efforts can make it possible. The biggest problem is not their spread but the mindset of the people in these sectors and their attitude.

Issues in the Retail Sector

In the retail sector, entry-level jobs are plentiful, as is unemployment, so people keep leaving one job after another. Another problem is the lack of fighting spirit and camaraderie in the white-collar workforce. Self-interest is more important than group interest.

Many of the unions exist to safeguard employee rights and job security. In the IT and ITES sectors, employees often earn higher wages and receive more benefits to retain them due to fierce competition between companies. However, there is significant attrition in these sectors, primarily because employees are not willing to commit to long-term employment, unlike in other industries.

The Role of Unions in Specialized Industries

Unions are beneficial for industries with specialized jobs, such as airline pilots' unions. However, they may not be advantageous for all industries, as human nature often leans towards wanting "something for nothing." This can be seen in scenarios where auto drivers demand high wages while sitting idle, which eventually leads to their jobs being taken over by cab drivers.

The Future of Unions

The relevance of unions may become obsolete in the coming decade due to rapid attrition and industry changes driven by technological advancements. In conclusion, I would like to quote Darwin, "It's not the smartest or strongest who survive, but those who are most adaptable to change."