Sociology 325
Week 2 Review Questions
Due on Tuesday January 18, 2008
This week’s readings provide a broad overview of unions in America. The newspaper
articles discuss recent trends in unionization. The longer articles discuss the impact of
unions, and different ways of thinking about unions. When you quote the text in your
answer, be sure to use quotation marks and to provide a proper cite. It should look like
this: Eimer begins his argument by stating “I’m surprised that many undergraduates do
not do their readings. They’re missing out on a big part of the learning process”(Eimer
2006:11). Eimer is the author, 2006 is the publication year, and 11 is the page the quote
appeared on. If you can not determine the year of the publication because it has not been
provided, simply put 2011. Be sure to cite properly. Do not plagiarize.
1. The article by Steven Greenhouse discusses recent changes in the American labor
movement. Briefly summarize the major change in the make-up of the labor movement
that the article discusses.
2. The Freeman and Medoff chapter is from a very influential book called What Do
Unions Do? In this chapter, they discuss different ways of thinking about unions. Please
explain what they mean when they suggest that unions should be thought of as a form
“collective voice.” Provide one example of a way that union “voice” alters the labor
market or workplace. Be sure to properly cite the text in your answer.
3. Please discuss one of the ways that Freeman and Medoff suggest unions help
management run more successful business operations. Be sure to properly cite the text in
your answer.
4. After reading the first 11 pages of the paper by Mishel and Walter, briefly summarize
the effect of unions on two of the following: wages, inequality, fringe benefits, or
workplace protections. Be sure to properly cite the text in your answer.