The Role of LaborChapter 9 Section 3

Organized Labor in the U.S.

The Labor Movement’s Rise to PowerLabor unions helped shape modern

workplace; brought about 8 hour work day, vacation, 5day week, and sick leave

Labor union- workers’ organization that seeks to improve work matters

Strike- work stoppage to convince employer to meet union demands

Different types for different needs, such as craft, industrial unions

Labor Movements’ Rise to Power

Early DevelopmentEarliest unions were

local1869 Knight of

Labor organized to nationwide organization

1800’s employers resisted unions

A New Model of PowerViolence,

controversial politics led to decline in union membership

1886 Samuel Gompers helped unions

Auto Workers, Mine Workers, Industrial Workers

The Labor Movement’s Rise to Power

Unions Gain PowerDuring Great

Depression membership decline due to job loss

Several New Deal Laws helped Unions

Backlash Against Unions Following WWII

Anti-union legislation

Fear of Communism lead to more restructions

The Labor Movements’ Steady Decline

30% of work force for the 30 years after WWIISince 1970’s it has been decreasing to almost

12.5% in 20053 Causes

◦Poor Reputations Looked Bad: long strikes, featherbedding, organize crime

ties◦Labor Force Changes

Work force shifted from manufacturing to service Now are shifting to the service industry

◦Restrictive Laws Right-to-Work Laws

Right-to-Work Laws

Closed shop- business had to hire only union members; now outlawed

Union shop- Business where workers had to join the union within a set period of time

Right-to-work Laws- Make it illegal to require workers to join unions

Union Negotiating Methods

Collective Bargaining-negotiation process of businesses and organized workers ◦Establishes wages and working conditions◦ In past bargained for wages, conditions, and

benefits◦Today they stop cuts◦Binding arbitration- decision made by impartial

third party Unions can get better deal for workers than

individual employees◦Unionized companies tend to pay higher wages