PowerPoint #4 Labor Economics Unit 4

Essential Questions: Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of having an unskilled, skilled, or professional job. Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of belonging to a union.

The Civilian Labor Force Definition:

The Civilian Labor Force NOT included in the civilian labor force: mentally or physically disabled people, prisoners, people in the armed forces, and those not looking for a paying job.

The Civilian Labor Force (cont.)

Categories of Workers Blue collar: craft workers, manufacturers, and nonfarm laborers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHj_JXH9T28

Categories of Workers White collar: office workers, salespeople, highly trained workers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUvQ6EKJO3I

Categories of Workers Definitions: Unskilled: no specialized training Includes: sanitation, workers, custodial workers, farm workers, painters, grocery clerks, assembly line factory workers, etc.

Categories of Workers Definitions: Semiskilled: some training bartender, nurse's assistant, fisherman, laundry operator, telephone solicitor, file clerk, flight attendant, sales, clerical, etc

Categories of Workers Definitions: Skilled: learned trade or craft

Categories of Workers Definitions: Professionals college degrees and training professionals do mainly mental work, as opposed to engaging in physical work.

How will the job you pick effect your future standard of living?

What is one of the biggest contributors to the income disparity in America?

Development of Labor Unions In the 1800s working conditions were terrible and unions were often illegal. Strikes often resulted in violence between workers and the police.

Development of Labor Unions The first permanent union, The American Federation of Labor (AFL) was made up of craft unions and led by Samuel Gompers.

Development of Labor Unions In 1938, the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) was created, and the automobile and steel industries were the first to be organized.

Development of Labor Unions AFL and CIO joined forces in 1955 because they felt greater gains could be made if the craft and industrial unions worked together.

Labor Policies Closed shops allow the company to hire only union workers; these were outlawed in 1947. Right-to-Work Laws: prevent employers from excluding non-union workers, workers can’t be forced to join or pay union dues.

Perspective on Unions To better understand the benefits and drawbacks of unions, listen carefully to the video clips throughout the rest of the PowerPoint

The Good and Bad about Unions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTiugkUjqsE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8gsna5GQTo

Collective Bargaining Definition: the process by which unions and employers negotiate the conditions of employment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyxuUjgHkgs

Collective Bargaining The company wants to keep wages and benefits low to hold its labor costs down and remain competitive in the market. The union wants to increase wages and benefits for its members as much as possible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2p9l6Wh4xw

Negotiations Labor and management meet to discuss contract issues. Mediation takes place when labor and management cannot agree or become hostile; instead they find a neutral person to try to help them reach an agreement.

Negotiations Arbitration takes place when mediation fails; labor and management then ask a third party to make a decision, agreeing to unconditionally accept that decision.

History of Labor Union Strikes List each of the 10 strikes (on the left side of your paper) mentioned in the video clip with the following information: Who is striking? Were they successful in getting what they were asking for? One interesting fact about each strike. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgd7_K5pCCU

Strikes and Management Picketing is when workers carry signs in front of the place of business until their needs are satisfactorily met in the contract. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyQZCrQNH48 Strikebreakers or scabs are people who fill in for striking workers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-5y2gwlRT8

Strikes and Management Lockouts are when management prevents workers from returning to work until a new contract is signed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb0QRKoUh5I

Strikes and Management Injunctions are court orders that limit picketing or prevent a strike from continuing or occurring at all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiKf47tpdus

Why Have Unions Declined? Over time, working conditions have improved so workers see little benefit to belonging to a union. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amU5RX1uN1M

Why Have Unions Declined? More jobs are available in white collar and service sectors; blue-collar jobs are decreasing. Critics of unions claim increased wages given to union workers are passed on to consumers in price increases.

Essential Questions: Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of having an unskilled, skilled, or professional job. Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of belonging to a union.