1. History & Function of Labor
Chapter 8

2. What Is Labor? “Labor” refers to the civilian workforce
The “Labor Movement” refers to unions

3. What Is a Union?
A union is a group of workers who negotiate collectively (rather than individually) for better pay, working conditions, benefits, etc.
Two types of unions:
Craft Union/Trade Union:
Associated of skilled workers who perform the same kind of work
E.g.: Electricians’ Union, Plumbers’ Union
Industrial Union:
An association of all workers in the same indsutry, regardless of the job each worker performs
E.g.: AFSCME, UAW, etc.

4. An Origin Story

5. Goals of Labor Unions Increased Pay Better Working Conditions
More workers kept coming to America every day (immigration) and this kept wages low
Better Working Conditions
No safety regulations at all
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
End Child Labor

6. Artwork of the Labor Movement

7. Union Tactics Strike Picket Boycott
Refusal to work until demands are met
Picket
Striking workers parade in front of the employer’s business carrying signs about the dispute
Boycott
Mass refusal to buy products from a company

8. Union Membership by State
Ask: “Why do some states have higher percentages of Union Membership than others?”

9. Critiques Unions raise prices Unions are conspiracies against labor
Workers demand higher wages; increase passed on to the consumer
Unions are conspiracies against labor
Prosecuted under Sherman Antitrust Act
Also, Act 10

10. Union Membership Rates

11. Wealth vs. Unions

12. Minimum Wage

13. Unions Today
Public sector workers (teachers, firefighters, police) are 5 times as likely to be in an union as private sector workers
Men are more likely to be in a union than women; blacks are more likely to be in a union than any other racial group
Industries with heavy unionization rates include utilities, transportation and warehousing, telecommunications, and construction
-Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics