Daily Writing Prompt
What is liability?
What is a Labor Union?
Labor Union – an organization of workers that
tries to improve working conditions, wages,
and benefits for its members
Quote
“I regard people just as I regard my
machinery. So long as they can do
my work for what I choose to pay
them, I keep them, getting out of
them all I can.”
- Manager of a textile mill in Fall
River, MA (1855)
Union Tactics
• A strike is an organized work
stoppage. Sometimes union
members go on strike to
improve their working
conditions or wages.
• When union and company
representatives meet to
negotiate a new contract,
collective bargaining
occurs.
Union Laws
Norris – La Guardia Act (1932) – made
yellow-dog contracts illegal & injunctions
harder to obtain.
Wagner Act (National Labor Relations Act) (1935) –
Gave workers the right to organize and
required companies to bargain with
unions.
Union Laws
Fair Labor Standards Act (1938) –
Minimum wage, outlawed child labor,
created 40 hour work week and overtime
pay.
Clayton Act (1914) – Legalized strikes and
picketing.
Mediation and Arbitration
• Sometimes union and company representatives
cannot agree on the terms of a new contract. To
ensure a new contract, mediation or arbitration can
occur.
• In mediation, a neutral party tries to find a mutually
beneficial solution. The solution can be rejected.
• In arbitration, a neutral party imposes a solution. It
must be accepted. It is legally binding.
Mediation, you can reject.
Arbitration, you must accept.
Workplaces
• Closed shop – hires only union members – mostly
illegal today.
• Union shop – will hire non-union members, but
requires them to join after a certain amount of
time.
• Agency shop – hires nonunion workers & they are
not required to join. They must pay dues
however, and are covered by the union contract.
Valley Central School District is an
agency shop.
Right-to-Work laws
• Some states have adopted “Right-toWork” laws, which make it illegal for
unions to require payment of dues.
• These laws hurt union membership
• Most Right-to Work states are in the
South
E. Napp
E. Napp
Decline of the Labor Movement
• The influence of labor unions has
declined in recent decades
• Protecting unnecessary workers
• Ties with organized crime
• Fulfillment of goals (40 hour work week,
minimum wage Social Security)
Types of Workers
• Union membership is highest amongst bluecollar workers; those who perform manual
labor, often in a manufacturing job, and earn
an hourly wage.
Types of Workers
• Union membership is lowest amongst whitecollar workers; those who are professional or
clerical workers who usual earn weekly
salaries
Outsourcing and Offshoring
Outsourcing – contracting with a company to do
a job that would normally be done by the
company’s own workers
Offshoring - the movement of a company’s
operations to another country
Daily Writing Prompt
What is a union?
Objectives
• By the end of today you will:
1. Evaluate different opinions of
labor unions
2. Identify the benefits/advantages
of belonging to a labor union
Warm-Up
• Summarize the author’s argument
• Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Daily Writing Prompt
What the difference between an
industrial union and a craft
union?
Decline of the Labor Movement
• Taft-Hartley Act (1947) allowed states to pass
“right to work” laws that ban mandatory
union membership. Today, most are in the
South.
• Less blue-collar workers (industrial &
manufacturing jobs)
• More white-collar workers (professional
& clerical jobs)
Decline of the Labor Movement
• Industries moving abroad
• More women in the workforce
• Re-location to the South
Negotiations
Collective Bargaining - Union & company
representatives meet to negotiate a new labor
contract.
Mediation – neutral mediator tries to find a
solution.
Arbitration – third party reviews the case &
imposes a decision that is legally binding.
Daily Writing Prompt
What is the difference between a closed shop
and a union shop?
The Next 5 Days…
• Today: Finish notes & class work
• Tomorrow: Meet here, walk over
to computer lab.
• Monday or Tuesday: Guest
speaker Mr. Brown
Question:
What does it mean to be unemployed?
Labor & Skill Levels
• Unemployment: 16 or older, temporarily laid
off, not working, actively looking for a job
• Unskilled Labor: no skills, education, or
training. Ex: janitors, waiters
• Semi-skilled Labor: requires minimal skills &
education. Ex: lifeguards, cooks, construction
workers.
Labor & Skill Levels
• Skilled Labor: specialized skills and training.
Ex: Auto mechanics, plumbers, carpenters
• Professional Labor: demands advanced skills
& education. Ex: managers, teachers, doctors,
professional athletes
Fun Fact
• The current unemployment rate
is 10% for high school graduates,
and only 5% for college
graduates…
Affirmative Action
• The use of policies, programs, and procedures
to ensure the inclusion of minorities & women
in job hiring and college admission.
• VERY controversial
• Glass ceiling – the unofficial, invisible barrier
that keeps some women & minorities from
advancing to the top ranks of business
Do Now:
• Work in pairs
• Grab a textbook from the back of
the room
• Pg. 218 #1-6
• Pg. 227 #1&3
• Due at the end of the period
Daily Writing Prompt
What holiday is the first Monday
in September?
Answer
Labor Day!
Union Tactics
Strike – an organized work stoppage intended to
force an employer to address union demands.
• Fiercely opposed by employers
• Fired union leaders, made workers sign
“yellow-dog contracts,” and hired militias to
beat up strikers
• Issued injunctions, or orders to return to work.