The Role of Labor Chapter 9 Section 3

Organized Labor in the U.S. The Labor Movement’s Rise to Power Labor 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 Organized Labor in the U.S.

Labor Movements’ Rise to Power Early Development Earliest unions were local 1869 Knight of Labor organized to nationwide organization 1800’s employers resisted unions A New Model of Power Violence, controversial politics led to decline in union membership 1886 Samuel Gompers helped unions Auto Workers, Mine Workers, Industrial Workers Labor Movements’ Rise to Power

The Labor Movement’s Rise to Power Unions Gain Power During 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 Movement’s Rise to Power

The Labor Movements’ Steady Decline 30% of work force for the 30 years after WWII Since 1970’s it has been decreasing to almost 12.5% in 2005 3 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 The Labor Movements’ Steady Decline

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 Right-to-Work Laws

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 Union Negotiating Methods