Chapter 8:The Labor Movement The study of labor is part of Macroeconomics- the branch of economics that deals with the economy as a whole. Ex. Employment, inflation, and gross domestic product. Civilian Labor Force- Men and Women 16 years and older who are working or seeking employment.

Types of Unions Craft union (trade union)-skilled workers who perform the same kind of work. Ex.cigar makers union. Industrial union-an association of all workers in the same industry, regardless of the job each worker performs. Ex. Unskilled workers. Things that unions use against employers: Strike, Picket, Boycott and Lockout

Antiunion legislation Taft-Hartley Act- put limits on union powers. It had two provisions the first was an 80-day cooling-off period that federal courts could use to delay a strike in the case of a national emergency. And the second was that individual states could decide to become a right to work state which makes it illegal to make workers join a union for employment.

Kinds of union arrangements Closed shops-employer only hires union members Union shop-workers do not have to belong to be hired but must join soon after and remain a member as long as they have a job. Modified union shop-workers don’t have to belong. But if they join voluntarily they must stay as long as they keep the job. Agency shop-you don’t have to join but you pay union fees for collective bargaining cost.

Categories of Labor Unskilled labor- digging ditches, picking fruit, and mopping floors. --lowest wages Semiskilled labor- basic equipment operators. Ex. lawnmowers, dishwashers and floor polishers. Skilled Labor- carpenters, typists, tool and die makers, and computer technicians. Professional labor-doctors, scientists, lawyers, and corporate executive and earn the most money. Based on your skills will effect your Wage rate.

Reason for union decline 1) Employers would hire people out of the union by offering better compensation. 2) Women and teenagers joining the workforce. They have little loyalty toward unions 3) because cost of employees went up in unions…union made products prices went up on their products and people stopped buying their product.