1. LABOR UNIONS

2. LABOR Labor is one of the key factors of production. Industrialization changed the work force and how people lived. Society was more urban and there were more factories. Workers got wages for their work but working conditions were poor, wages were low, workers worked long hours and the works had no protection.

3. LABOR UNIONS Labor unions are organizations of workers that seek to improve wages and working conditions. They also are supposed to protect the members rights. Workers pay dues to be represented by the union. (Usually they are deducted from your paychecks)

4. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING Collective bargaining is the process by which representatives of the unions and business try to reach agreement about wages and working conditions. The result of collective bargaining is a contract between the labor union and business that outlines wages, fringe benefits, workers rights, etc

5. TOOLS OF BARGAINING Unions use these tools to pressure the business: slowdowns, strikes, boycotts, demonstrations, etc Employer’s use these tools: Lockouts, strikebreakers, etc

6. Government Involvement and other solutions Today the government regulates both unions and the business work place. They try to make sure that bargaining is fair and ongoing If things are not going well in bargaining two tools that can be used are mediation and arbitration.