In years past, unions have been used by manufacturing workers as a means to make workers' voices heard and to push for different conditions regarding the unfair treatment. For most, these unions were seen as some kind of threat, but for others they were a way to bring together the workforce and make it beneficial not for one or a few, but for all. Today in the United States unions have become out of action. Yet union jobs are starting to reemerge. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To begin with, unions were initially created for the greater good and as a form of protection. More importantly, they create a competition between workers' living standards and the employer's competitive strength. therefore, they increase the amount of jobs available in the economy. When unions were first established in the 19th century, it was the beginning of the industrial uprising in which workers moved from agricultural work areas into factories and mines. Throughout this life transition, many have faced horrific working conditions: strenuous hours, little or no pay, and health risks. Women and children who worked generally received lower wages than men, but men also did not earn enough for the amount of time they worked. The government did little to prevent and resolve these injustices, so labor activists rebelled; lobby for better working options and conditions; collective earnings. This gave workers the authority to demand the things they felt they needed, but as time went on, this power was abused, meaning workers leave their work unfinished and seek more than they are given. . This is to their disadvantage because many need the work they have and without it they would most likely not be able to survive. “”Power tends to corrupt,” and this is certainly true of unions. The unions have become self-centered, very greedy and even criminal in their relentless pursuit of getting as much as possible for themselves and their families.” (John Hawkins. 5 Reasons Why Unions Are Bad for America) Protesting creates a sense of defiance which in turn can lead employers to enforce actions such as firing workers. This does not harm the employer but the employee. Unions create a competition between the workers' livelihood and the employer's competitive strength. “We now compete in a global marketplace, and the standards that all unions try to uphold make it difficult to compete globally. We are therefore forced to choose between the quality of life of the worker and the competitive strength of his employer. Do striking employees serve a public company? How will owners be affected? Will a strike bring disruption or simply more reruns and reality shows? The stakes are different." (Ron Wilkinson. United We Stand? Are Unions Still Existing Today?) What is essentially being raised and explained here is the idea and fact that employers and companies have set goals that they need to achieve. Many industries pursue integration in the form of mergers that involve the acquisition of another company. A company that takes over all its competing stores can gain a monopoly; control over the production, wages and prices of their businesses. If employers decide to consider the benefits that employees don't get, then the money companies need to grow.