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Unions and Labor. “The Hunger Strike”. American Labor Movement. Some More History…. What Are They???. Legal representatives of workers Craft, Industry, General/Trade Unionism Locals…nationals…internationals Political Role? Motivate members to vote a particular way…
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What Are They??? • Legal representatives of workers • Craft, Industry, General/Trade Unionism • Locals…nationals…internationals • Political Role? • Motivate members to vote a particular way… • Align with other activist groups • Social Unionism? • Unions, activists, organizations align for social/economic justice • Political leanings of unions??? • Represent Public/Private Sectors
Philosophies… • Service Model: • worker rights, providing services, and resolving disputes • Organizing Model: • building up confidence, strong networks, and leaders within the workforce • Hybrid…
What Do They Do? • Have legal rights… • Collective bargaining: negotiate with employers over wages and working conditions • Labor contracts • Industrial action: enforce strikes or resistance to lockouts in furtherance of particular goals • “runaway shop”??? • Move work elsewhere…union not business related • Outsourcing!!!! • Provisional Benefits: some health, professional training, legal advice and representation • Political activity: favorable legislation
Cont’d • Improve overall working environment • Wages • Hours • Conditions
Busting??? • Union Busting • Anti-union campaigns • $1 Billion industry • Union Avoidance • Jackson Lewis LLP: • How to Stay Union Free in Today's Era of Corporate Campaigns
Membership • Private union membership down 10% • Lowest since 1932…1960s the peak • Why the decline??? • Outsourcing to other countries • US=consumers? • Geographical labor shift • Service jobs up… • Women? • In 2008, 12.4% unionized, up 428,000 from ’07 to 16.1 million