1. Union Study

2. What is a Labor Union? Recognized organization of workers that negotiates wages, working conditions, and other benefits with employers.

3. Other nations Canada….37% United States…..11% UK…..43% Sweden…..90%

4. First unions in Canada The first to develop were unions of workers in a skilled craft or trade. Craft Unions. They represented printers, shoemakers masons, bakers, and tailors. These unions originated in the Maritimes, Quebec, and Ontario

5. Industrial Union They represent workers in a particular firm or industry regardless of trade or level of skill. They came after craft unions. They represented workers and janitors in a company,

6. WW I and WW II 1914, Union membership rose to 166 000 because of war, industry was very important. 1919..Winnipeg General Strike. This event failed, which made unions look bad. This event caused a significant drop in membership. Many leaders were jailed. “bloody saturday”. Membership also declined during the depression Membership increased during the war due to a war time industry and the right to organize.

7. Local Most important part of the union. A person joins the union, dues are paid, vote for local reps, conduct negotiations. ex. Hants West Local

8. National/International Union A union with a membership base within a single country. A union that has a membership based in more than one country The represent the needs of their members at the national/international level.

9. CLC Canadian Labor Congress The American counterpart is the AFL-CIO AFL…American Federation of Labor CIO…Congress of Industrial Organization

10. Collective Bargaining Negotiation between reps of workers and employers. The purpose is to establish working conditions that are acceptable to both sides. The advantage that workers have is they are able to have a say in their work environment. The purpose is to reach agreement on wages, pensions, workload, and holidays.

11. Collective Agreement Contract between workers and management on how issues in the relationship will be resolved, as well as benefits enjoyed by the worker and expectations from the employer.

12. Arbitration Process by which problems are resolved between workers and management. A person acting as an arbitrator will listen to both sides of an argument and make a decision that is binding. This person has the authority of a judge. It takes place only after both sides can not agree on a resolution of a contract. It is significant because it can/will avoid strikes and lockouts.

13. Conciliation/Mediation Third party intervenes, but unlike an arbitrator, he only makes suggestions based on the arguments of both sides.

14. Strike/Lockout Strike…withholding of services by paid labor. This happens if conciliation is unsuccessful Lockout…Management may lock out its workers in response to a strike. Workers may not be able to enter the premises. It affects the economy by taking away the buying power of the consumer. Also, it affects supply on hand in businesses that need products delivered.

15. Sweated labor A shop or factory in which employees work long hours at low wages under poor conditions.

16. Wildcat Strike a strike begun by workers spontaneously or without union approval

17. Blacklist a list of banned or undesirable people, usually people who want to organize unions.

18. Scab is a person who works despite an ongoing strike. Scabs are usually individuals who are not employed by the company prior to the dispute, but rather hired after or during the strike to keep the organization running.

19. Yellow Dog Contract is an agreement between an employer and an employee in which the employee agrees, as a condition of employment, not to be a member of a labor union. They are now illegal inCanada

20. Feather-Bedding is the practice of hiring more workers than are needed to perform a given job, or to adopt work procedures which appear pointless, complex and time-consuming merely to employ additional workers. Layoffs are not allowed.

21. Sweetheart Agreement An agreement between an employer and a labor union on terms favorable to the employer and often arranged by a union official without the participation or approval of the union members.

22. Stoolie Someone that's a rat or a snitch in any way to give information ab out union activities.

23. Closed Shop/Open Shop Closed shop jobs are jobs where workers have to become members of a union within a specific period of time. Open shop jobs are where management can hire workers who are not obliged to become union members.

24. Fringe Benefits Payments and services other than wages or salary that are provided by an employee. Dental, pension, life insurance, and holiday pay.

25. COLA’s Cost of living allowances. Part of contracts that allows the worker keep on pace with rise in living prices.

26. Seniority Order in which workers were hired. In the event of layoffs workers whom are hired last are often laid off first. Specifically it shows the amount of years worked.

27. Future of Unions Membership in Great Britain dropped US membership dropped. Also Air Traffic Controllers went on strike and was fired by President Ronald Reagan.

28. Advantages of Unions Industry wide Bargaining: Advantages 1. Union finds it easier to get concessions 2. Single firm may not have power to negotiate 3. 3.Single contract can be signed 4. Each side can afford to hire skilled negotiators

29. Closed Shops Workers must become members of the union shop within a specific period of time. Often you have no choice, it becomes an automatic ex. NSTU…Nova Scotia Teacher’s Union

30. Open Shop Management can hire workers who are not obliged to become union members. Employers have the option of joining a union.

31. Fringe Benefits Payments and services other than wages or salary that are provided by an employee Medical, dental, pension, and life insurance. Cabins, Cottages, vacation junkets etc.

32. COLA’s Cost of living allowances that keep wages increasing on a par with general price increases Included with contracts.

33. Seniority Purpose is to provide a system to deal with economic times when layoffs are necessary. Last in first out Last out, first in

34. Grievances Procedure for solving any problems that may arise from contract negotiations or procedural issues.

35. Wage Increases 3 ways

36. Restrict labor Long apprentice High initiation fees Refuse to admit new members Allow non-union people to do job Support immigration barriers Maximum hours legislation

37. Increase demand for Labor Help employers modernize plants Improve worker productivity Encourage purchasing of union made products Keep competitive markets from coming into Canada

38. Monopolies and Oligopolies Employee can set wages when there is only one major union employee in a town

39. FUTURE OF UNIONS 1980’s British Unions dropped 10% 1981 Reagan of the united States fired all striking Air traffic controllers, which are federal unions

40. Federal/ Provincial Involvement Wages have been rolled back on public sector employees. Federal governments enter into trade agreements with other countries which can sometime hamper economic growth.

41. 18.1 – ELEMENTS OF CONTRACTS Union Study

42. Classifying Contracts A contract is… –…a legally binding agreement between two or more competent parties A bilateral contract is… –…an agreement by both parties to do something for each other. –most contracts are bilateral –contracts can contain numerous terms – things that parties must do or not do for one another

43. Classifying Contracts (continued) An oral contract is… –…a verbal agreement made between two or more parties –may be difficult to enforce – why? A written contract is… –…an agreement between two or more parties in which the terms are set out on paper or by Internet communications –ADV - provides clear evidence of contract

44. Classifying Contracts (continued) An implied contract is… –…an agreement in which the parties indicate consensus through their conduct –Eg. paying for a ride on public transit An express contract is… –…an agreement in which the terms have been discussed and agreed upon in advance A contract under seal is… –…a written agreement bearing a red sticker, handwritten dot, or the word seal –also called a ‘deed’

45. Elements of a Contract for a contract to exist, there must be consensus ad idem consensus ad idem is… –…a clear understanding between the parties of the terms of the contract and the willingness to abide by them three elements must exist for a contract to exist: –offer –acceptance –consideration

46. Offer (continued) An offer is… –…a proposal to another party to enter into an agreement on certain terms –An offeror is… …a person who makes an offer –An offeree is… …a person who receives an offer

47. Offer (continued) making a valid offer –In order to be valid, an offer must be made seriously and its terms must be certain. An invitation to treat is… –…a communication intended to elicit offers from the person who receive it –Eg. – placing a ‘For Sale’ sign on window of your car is not an offer, but an invitation to treat

48. Offer (continued) communicating an offer –communicating may happen in a variety of forms (mail, courier, fax, email, and in person) –it’s important to know when offeree became aware of offer OR –even if offeree was aware of offer at all

49. Offer (continued) ending an offer –offers don’t live forever – they may end in a variety of ways –A lapse is… …when a contract is terminated or ceases to exist an offer lapses if it’s not accepted before the date set out in the offer –A contract is revoked… …when the offeror withdraws the offer before it’s accepted by the offeree

50. Offer (continued)  ending an offer (continued)  A counteroffer is… …when an offer is made in response to an existing offer counteroffer nullifies the first offer – now a second offer (the counteroffer) is waiting for acceptance

51. Acceptance Acceptance is… –…a clear indication by the offeree to enter into a contract on the terms set out by the offeror –acceptance is usually made in the following ways: orally in writing by conduct –acceptance occurs once offeree has communicated acceptance

52. Acceptance (continued)  How acceptance can be made and communicated: 1. acceptance of an offer is usually required to be active Ie. ‘not’ doing something is not acceptance 2. contract is formed when the offeror receives notice of acceptance from the offeree 3. acceptance must be made in a reasonable manner, or in the form required by the offeror acceptance form usually in the form used in the presentation of the offer

53. Acceptance (continued)  How acceptance can be made and communicated (continued): 4. when the offeror has expressly required acceptance by mail, or it is clear that the mail may be used, acceptance is completed as soon as the letter is mailed, even if the offeror never receives the letter offeree must get receipt for proof of mailing 5. an offer cannot be accepted if the offeree knows it has been revoked by the offeror  A unilateral contract is…  …a contract formed when the offeree accepts an offer by performing an act requested by the offeror  no communication of acceptance is required here

54. Consideration an agreement is an enforceable contract only if parties exchange benefits consideration is… –…something of value that either benefits the party who receives it or is a loss or inconvenience to the party who provides it –examples of consideration is often $$, but it could be anything of value – even not doing something you usually do

55. Consideration (continued) gratuitous promises –a gratuitous promise is… an offer that gives a benefit to the offeree only –gratuitous promises are not typically enforceable contracts valid consideration –not all forms of consideration are valid –present consideration is… …something of value that is exchanged at the time a contract is formed

56. Consideration (continued) valid consideration (continued) –future consideration is… …something of value that is exchanged after a contract is formed invalid consideration –past consideration is… …a benefit conferred before a contract is alleged to have been formed