labor unions and the economy target: i can explain the different types of unions and how the...

Labor Unions and the Economy

Target: I can explain the different types of unions and how the

government interacts with unions.

Labor Unions

Organizations that attempt to improve the working conditions of their members through collective action

Labor Unions

Organizations that attempt to improve the working conditions of their members through collective action It is beneficial to join a union b/c it allows

workers to bargain as a whole and not as an individual

Types of Unions

Craft unions – consist of people that generally have the same skill (electrician)

Types of Unions

Craft unions – consist of people that generally have the same skill (electrician) Hence, they are often times called a

horizontal union

Types of Unions

Craft unions – consist of people that generally have the same skill (electrician) Hence, they are often times called a

horizontal union Example – American Federation of Labor

(AFL) est. in 1886

Types of Unions

Craft unions – consist of people that generally have the same skill (electrician) Hence, they are often times called a

horizontal union Example – American Federation of Labor

(AFL) est. in 1886 They can be effective b/c these are skilled

workers who cannot be easily replaced

Types of Unions

Industrial Unions – workers that are employed in a particular industry (mine workers) both skilled and unskilled workers

Types of Unions

Industrial Unions – workers that are employed in a particular industry (mine workers) both skilled and unskilled workers Hence, they are often times called vertical

unions

Types of Unions

Industrial Unions – workers that are employed in a particular industry (mine workers) both skilled and unskilled workers Hence, they are often times called vertical

unions Generally, these unions have been

unsuccessful b/c they are representing unskilled labor who can be easily replaced

Types of Unions

Congress of Industrial Organization (CIO) was formed in 1935 and battled for membership with AFL, in 1955 they became the AFL-CIO

Labor Legislation (Gov’t involvement)

In general, the government has shown great hostility towards unions

Labor Legislation

In general, the government has shown great hostility towards unions Using the Sherman Antitrust Act, which made

actions to restrain trade illegal, many state governments made it illegal to strike (impedes trade)

Labor Legislation

In general, the government has shown great hostility towards unions Using the Sherman Antitrust Act, which made

actions to restrain trade illegal, many state governments made it illegal to strike (impedes trade)

Management of business could ask for an injunction

Labor Legislation

In general, the government has shown great hostility towards unions Using the Sherman Antitrust Act, which made

actions to restrain trade illegal, many state governments made it illegal to strike (impedes trade)

Management of business could ask for an injunction

Injunction – government order that forces workers to work

Labor Legislation

The use of injunctions stopped with the Clayton Act (1914)

Labor Legislation

The use of injunctions stopped with the Clayton Act (1914) Could not use the Sherman Act against

unions

Labor Legislation

National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) 1935

Labor Legislation

National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) 1935 Guaranteed the right of workers to organize in

Unions and bargain collectively

Labor Legislation

National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) 1935 Guaranteed the right of workers to organize in

Unions and bargain collectively However, following WWII, there were a series

of strikes that hurt the economy

Labor Legislation

National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) 1935 Guaranteed the right of workers to organize in

Unions and bargain collectively However, following WWII, there were a series

of strikes that hurt the economy Thus, Congress over-rode Truman’s veto and

passed the Taft-Hartley Act

Labor Legislation

Taft-Hartley Act

Labor Legislation

Taft-Hartley Act Illegal for federal employees to strike

Labor Legislation

Taft-Hartley Act Illegal for federal employees to strike It outlawed closed shops (forced to join a

union)

Labor Legislation

Taft-Hartley Act Illegal for federal employees to strike It outlawed closed shops (forced to join a

union) Gave the president the power to seek

injunctions against any strike that threatened national interest

Labor Membership

Since 1960, union membership has steadily dropped with less than 12% of workers in a union today Compared to 1983: 20.3%

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