Organized Labor

Union An organized association of workers formed to protect and further their rights and interest; a labor union

Why Organized Labor? Collective Bargaining Protect Workers Rights Unions bargain for contracts on behalf of its members Strength in numbers…they can’t fire us all! Except Air Traffic Controllers (1980’s) and Baseball Umpires (1990’s) Many were fired for going on strike!! Protect Workers Rights Wages Working hours Working conditions Benefits

Why Organized Labor? If Collective Bargaining doesn’t work Strike—Union members refuse to work until a fair contract is agreed upon Lockout—Management refuses to allow union members into work until certain conditions are met

History of Organized Labor Labor unions of many kinds date back to the early 1800’s Very scattered, not influential, dissolved quickly I880’s…a few major labor unions began to grow in numbers and power Fighting between them increased 1886…major unions joined together to create the AFL (American Federation of Labor) Considered to be the first real Labor Union in the U.S. Consisted of only “skilled” members from various areas of the trades (steel workers, iron workers, etc)

History of Organized Labor Wagner Act of 1935 A.K.A. - The National Labor Relations Act Protected rights of workers to form unions Established the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)…created to investigate unfair business practices Other unions form Several unions form during the 1930’s Auto Workers, Electrical Workers, Rubber Workers The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) Created in 1938 Large union consisting of smaller unions mentioned above Main rival of the AFL

Labor History Timeline

1800 - 1865

1868 - 1899

The Progressive Era 1899 - 1919

1920 - 1933

1934 - 1945

1946 -1968

Progress and the New Challenges 1969 - 2000

Organized Labor Today AFL and CIO Merged in 1955 Teamsters Union Consists of 54 smaller unions Several million members Teamsters Union Started as a small part of the AFL-CIO Was kicked out in 1957, rejoined in 1985, broke away again in 2005 Strong ties to organized crime (Jimmy Hoffa) Declining in numbers today Fewer manufacturing jobs Some unions still very strong Teachers Auto Workers Carpenters Electrical Workers

Established in 1968 Its mission is to eliminate coercive union power and compulsory unionism abuses through strategic litigation, public information, and education programs. Every American to work for a living without being compelled to belong to a union. Taft-Hartley Act

Right To Work States

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