Size and Structure of the Union Movement

Class 1Size of the Union Movement

Administrative

• Reading for next time – finish this topic

• Final Exam reminder – Thursday, May 8, 3:00-5:30

Review

• Relatively little change in how employers respond to unions and bargaining

• Employers routinely violate the law in these areas

• Current administration encourages such behavior

Today

I. QuestionsII. AggregatesIII. Sectoral UnionizationIV. Overall RatesV. Factors Explaining the Low US

Unionization Rate

I. Questions

• What fraction of the US labor force is unionized?

• What sectors of the economy (i.e. what industries or occupations) are the most unionized and which are least unionized?

II. Aggregates

• About 200 total unions and that number declining

• Reflects large number of mergers• Total Membership – 15.7 million in 2007

III. Sectoral Unionization

• By state• By industry

– Public Sector (2005) 36.5%– Private Sector (2005) 7.8%

• By occupation

Sectoral Unionization Rates

• Race and Ethnic Groups• Gender• Age• Shifts that hurt unions

– Shift from goods to services– Shift from blue collar to white collar– Growth of women in the labor force– Growth of part-time employment

IV. Overall Rates

• 1956 - 32% employed wage and salary earners unionized

• 2007 12.1%

• Public sector 35.9%• Private sector 7.5%

V. Factors Explaining the Low US Unionization Rate

• Nature of American unionism• Labor force heterogeneity• Lack of class consciousness• Government hostility to organization of its

own workers• Shift to white-collar service-based

economy• Greater private employer hostility than in

other countries

Next Time

• Union Structure

Union Size and Structure

Structure of Union Movement

Administrative

• Reading for next class – first and third

• Final Exam Reminder – Wednesday, May 7, 3:00-5:30

Review

• Union membership has declined to levels of 1900

• Government employees are the most highly unionized

Today

I. Governance and Functions of Local Unions

II. Governance and Functions of National Unions

III. Governance and Functions of the AFL-CIO

I. Local Unions

• Functions– Primary contact with members– Dues collection– Contract enforcement– Process grievances– Negotiation and ratification– Operate hiring hall

• Officers• Meetings

Unaffiliated Locals

• Federal Labor Unions• Bona fide independents • Company unions

II. National Unions - Functions

• Bargaining• Support • Research• Political• Coordination

Structure

• Conventions

• Executive Council or Board– Composition– Functions

III. AFL-CIO

• Functions– Jurisdictional– Research– Coordination– Political and Public Relations

• Officers– Pres, Secty-Treas, Executive VP– Vice-Presidents

AFL-CIO

Structure

• Convention• Executive Board• Sources of authority not primarily

structural

Next Time

• Discussion of unions and the underprivileged