Unions and Labor in America

What is a “union”?

What role do unions play in the American economic system?

What is a “union”?

• A union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals– Goals = workplace issues

• Unions have existed since the Middle Ages– Popularity grew during the

Industrial Revolution

Middle Ages Guilds

Colonial Trade Unions

Modern Labor Unions

What issues do union typically fight for?

• Issues important to their members:– Better working conditions– Better pay / benefits– “Workplace justice”– Workplace rules– Hiring, firing, and

promotion issues

Overcrowded and Pollution

Overcrowded and Pollution

Worker Housing in Manchester

Worker Housing in Manchester

Factory Workers at Home

Factory Workers at Home

Child Workers in the Industrial Revolution

Why do workers join unions?

• Variety of reasons why:– Security– Respect– Unhappy with

management– “peer pressure”– Better communication

How does one start a union?

• In a perfect world:– Majority of workers

would vote– Create a constitution– Management would

acknowledge existence

• In reality:– Companies try to

discourage unions• WHY?

How does one start a union?

• Five (5) steps:– Create an organizing

committee – Create an issues program– Educate your co-workers /

collect signatures– Hold a union vote– Negotiate a union contract

What challenges do workers face in trying to start a union?

• Non-unionized companies tend to try and discourage unionization– Higher costs– Less freedom

• Will actively try to discourage workers from joining

How does the US government protect people’s right to unionize?

• Wagner Act (1935)– FDR / The New Deal

• Companies CANNOT:– Discourage unions from

forming– Influence union leaders /

members– Intimidate union members– Refuse to bargain in “good

faith”

Sen. Robert F Wagner I

How do unions negotiate with companies?

• Unions use a method called “collective bargaining”– Union representatives

negotiate on behalf of their members

• Unions typically appoint a “bargaining team”

Is collective-bargaining a good thing?

2011 Wisconsin Labor Battle

What happens if the union and the company cannot reach an agreement?

• Three (3) opinions:

– “Fact Finding”• Both sides submit their proposals to a third party• The third party creates a contract

– “Arbitration”• Government representative acts as a mediator /

negotiates deal

– “General strike”• Union members vote on a strike proposal /

refuse to work

PA’s Ongoing Labor Debate

What is a “strike”?

• A strike is a complete work stoppage by union members

• Includes:– Protests / Picketing– Limited negotiations

What are “strikebreakers”?

• Strikebreakers are workers who refuse to strike or are temporary replacements– Also known as “scabs”

or “blacklegs”

• Working during a strike is called “crossing the picket line”

Labor Strikebreaking (1800’s)

Modern Strikebreakers

What are the positives / negative aspects of a labor unions?

• Positive:– “United voice”– Legal protection– Feeling of

brotherhood– Social help

• Negative:– Differing views– Poor management– Corruption– Intimidation /

violence