Goal 7.3 Unit 7 Labor Unions

Labor Unions Group of workers who band together to improve working conditions Late 19th century and early 20th century saw rapid rise in union movement “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair-novel on the unfair and harsh working conditions of immigrants. Critics claim he exaggerated. Muckrakers: journalists who exposed corruption of people in power. “The Jungle” shocked people about the meat packing industry-

History of Labor Unions First union was created in 1886 by Samuel Gompers. Unions reached their highest membership in the 1930’s ALF-CIO largest union In the 1980’s membership begins to drop Companies begin moving to southern and western Right to Work states. Right to work: state where union membership is not a requirement to work.

Goal of Unions Improve wages and benefits of workers Improve working conditions -------------------------------------------------------- Collective bargaining: process of negotiations between employers and a group of employees aimed at reaching agreements to regulate working conditions. Members use protests to get concessions. Or Media attention and lobbyist to encourage boycott Strike; refusal to work

Courts weigh in If labor and management cannot come to an agreement and the dispute becomes too chaotic- courts will sometimes step in. Injunction- An injunction is a court order that informs unions they are not allowed to strike while management and the union leadership are in negotiation. Government employees are forbidden by law to strike. 1980: President Reagan fired the Air Traffic controller members when they went on strike: They were endangering the lives of the public.

Employer tools: summary cutting benefits lockout- prevent people from working injunction- court order to stop protest or strike

Third party involvement mediation- when a third party helps to create a compromise arbitration- if negotiations break down, third party forces an agreement

Compromise Mediation and Arbitration are 2 methods used to bring both sides to the table and reach an agreement. Define the 2 terms How are they different?

Gov’t Action Social Security Act: 1935 Gov't money set aside through payroll deductions for retired persons. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) agency created to protect rights of workers and protect collective bargaining rights. Fair Labor Act of 1938: established minimum wage Taft Hartley Act of 1947: that monitors the activities and power of labor unions and unfair labor practices: gives Congress and courts power to impose injunctions that delay or prohibit strikes

Labor Union Simulation 10 minutes: Work with your partner to create a plan/strategy for negotiations 10-15 minutes: negotiate with the opposing side and come up with a new contract This must be signed by all 4 members to be legitimate and to be counted as a grade When finished, discuss the pros and cons of the labor union.

Labor Unions Pros and Cons https://www.yout ube.com/watch?v= h1_XAuJ8qCc Apple in China https://www.yout ube.com/watch?v= RjYglhZCXa4 Chicago teachers