American Labor Force

Labor Force Civilian Labor Force- # of people over 16 Who are employed or actively seeking work. Not Included: Disabled In prison In mental inst. Armed forces Full time students homemakers

How workers are categorized: Blue-Collar Craft workers, manufacturing, non farmers White-Collar Employed in offices, sales, or professional positions. (banker, accountant, teachers,etc.) Service Workers- provide services Nurse aid, computer repair men

Categorized by skill Unskilled- require no training- waiting on tables Semiskilled-require some training- nurse’s aid, lifeguard Skilled- learned a trade through vocational school or working under someone- electrician, mechanic Professionals- college degrees

What determines our wages? Skill- training and education- Brain surgeon s Type of job- pay higher if it is dangerous location

Supply and Demand determine wages in most cases. 2 things that hinder this: 1.Minimum wage law- the minimum a company is allowed to pay a worker. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 created this law. TN state minimum wage law is $7.25 per hour. It is the same as the National Law. 2. Labor Unions

History of Labor Unions Created in the 1800’s to improve working conditions and wages. No benefits-Before the 1800’s there was no such thing as health care benefits, sick leave, paid vacations Working conditions were poor- not much light, dangerous machinery, improper ventilation 1800’s state legislatures passed laws against labor unions Businesses refused to hire union members Union members were blacklisted Strikes often resulted in violence 1930’s- passed laws to regulate labor-management relations Because of improved working conditions workers see little benefit in joining unions today.

Strikes and Boycotts- employee/ union If both parties can’t agree workers sometimes Strike. They often are seen picketing in front of the place of employment. Boycott- unions urge the public not to purchase goods from that company

Lockouts and Injunctions company Lockout- management won’t let workers come back until there is an agreement Injunction- legal order of the court to make them return to work. Scabs- cross picket line and work anyway Taft-Hartley Act of President can delay or halt a strike up to 80 days if the strike will endanger the nation’s safety or health. Also allowed us the right to refuse union membership.

Collective Bargaining The process when unions and employees negotiate the conditions of employment If negotiations become hostile they may try mediation. If mediation fails, they may try arbitration. - Someone else get all the facts and makes the decision