1. The Role of Labor
Chapter 9 Section 3

2. Organized Labor in the U.S.
The Labor Movement’s Rise to Power
Labor unions helped shape modern workplace; brought about 8 hour work day, vacation, 5day week, and sick leave
Labor union- workers’ organization that seeks to improve work matters
Strike- work stoppage to convince employer to meet union demands
Different types for different needs, such as craft, industrial unions
Organized Labor in the U.S.

3. Labor Movements’ Rise to Power
Early Development
Earliest unions were local
1869 Knight of Labor organized to nationwide organization
1800’s employers resisted unions
A New Model of Power
Violence, controversial politics led to decline in union membership
1886 Samuel Gompers helped unions
Auto Workers, Mine Workers, Industrial Workers
Labor Movements’ Rise to Power

4. The Labor Movement’s Rise to Power
Unions Gain Power
During Great Depression membership decline due to job loss
Several New Deal Laws helped Unions
Backlash Against Unions Following WWII
Anti-union legislation
Fear of Communism lead to more restructions
The Labor Movement’s Rise to Power

5. The Labor Movements’ Steady Decline
30% of work force for the 30 years after WWII
Since 1970’s it has been decreasing to almost 12.5% in 2005
3 Causes
Poor Reputations
Looked Bad: long strikes, featherbedding, organize crime ties
Labor Force Changes
Work force shifted from manufacturing to service
Now are shifting to the service industry
Restrictive Laws
Right-to-Work Laws
The Labor Movements’ Steady Decline

6. Closed shop- business had to hire only union members; now outlawed
Union shop- Business where workers had to join the union within a set period of time
Right-to-work Laws- Make it illegal to require workers to join unions
Right-to-Work Laws

7. Union Negotiating Methods
Collective Bargaining-negotiation process of businesses and organized workers
Establishes wages and working conditions
In past bargained for wages, conditions, and benefits
Today they stop cuts
Binding arbitration- decision made by impartial third party
Unions can get better deal for workers than individual employees
Unionized companies tend to pay higher wages
Union Negotiating Methods