1. Why Do We Celebrate Labor Day? Labor Unions

2. The Rise of Labor Unions Long ago, many people worked under horrible conditions. Workers believed if they joined together, they could improve pay and working conditions. 1866 the NLU was first to fight for the eight hour day.

3. The Pros and Cons of Unions Benefits that labor unions have won: – Eight hours a day & forty hours a week – Over time pay when working more than eight hours –Health benefits – Medical care when hurt on the job – Vacation & sick leave Many people believe that workers can bargain their own benefits. Critics say that unions drive up costs and prices.

4. Do You Have to Join a Union? Being a union member requires you to pay union dues. Union dues are money to support the union. In a union shop all employees must join, in an agency shop, employees don’t have to join, but have to pay.

5. How Unions and Management Reach Agreements The goal of many unions is to get fair wages and good benefits for employees. Management wants to keep costs down and production up. Collective bargaining is how management and labor reach agreements through negotiations and compromises.

6. When agreements can’t be reached The union may strike if there is no agreement. Management may try to force labor to agree by having a lockout. Arbitration is using an outsider party to help make an agreement.

7. What Is Happening with Unions Now? Unions have lost strength and membership, perhaps because: – There are few jobs in some industries – People are deciding not to join