1. Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Objective: Students will be able to analyze the role of unions in our economy.
Purpose: Some of you may join unions in the future, so it is important to know what their purpose is.

2. Types of Labor
1. Unskilled Labor: requires no specialized skills, education, or training. Workers earn an hourly wage
2. Semi-Skilled Labor: requires minimal specialized skills and education, such as operation of certain types of equipment.

3. Types of Labor
Skilled Labor: requires specialized abilities and training to do tasks such as operating complicated equipment. These workers need little supervision. They earn an hourly wage rather than a salary.
Professional Labor: demands advanced skills and education. Professionals are usually white-collar workers who receive a salary.

4. Resolving Labor Disputes
Collective Bargaining
Mediation: resolving a dispute by bringing in a third party to help both sides reach a compromise
Arbitration: resolving a dispute by each side explaining their opinions to a third party, who then comes up with a solution that both sides must accept

5. Resolving Labor Disputes
Fact-finding: A third party collects facts about a dispute and presents its recommendations to the 2 sides
Injunction: court order issued to a prevent a company or union from taking action during a labor dispute
Seizure: temporary government takeover of a company to keep it running during a dispute

6. Labor-Management Negotiations
Wages and benefits
Working conditions
Job security
If a labor union is not satisfied with the proposals made by management, they may go on strike

8. The Decline of Unions Links between unions and organized crime
Some unions managed to keep positions that were unnecessary
Right-to-work laws: ban mandatory union membership
Reduction of “blue-collar” workforce
Government actions (work safety laws, unemployment insurance and Social Security)

10. WAC
Get a sheet of paper out to turn in. Place a full heading on it. Name, class, teacher, date. Write the question and respond with a minimum ½ page response. Are labor unions still needed? Why or why not? Give specific, detailed reasons for your position.