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Labor Union History

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A labor union, by definition, is an organized association of workers, often in trade or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests. The union, along with workplace management, are the two major entities of the labor relations process. That process involves the recognition of rights and responsibilities for both unions and management, the negotiation of the labor agreement between the two parties, and the administration of the negotiated labor agreement. The focal point of these relations are work rules, which facilitate the implementation of operational plans designed to accomplish an organization’s strategic goals. (Holley, p.6) This essay will explain the role that labor unions have had throughout the history of …show more content…

As of 2015, only 6.6 percent of employed workers are union members, less than a fifth of what it had been in 1945 and only half of what it was in 1985 (US Dept of Labor). Reasons for the decline vary, but the overall ineffectiveness of today’s unions is the most obvious. During good economic times, laborers don’t need unions to secure increases in wages & benefits because nearly everyone benefits from economic prosperity. Unions also struggle to keep a good public image. Many reports of corruption, mafia influence, embezzlement and bribery have occurred throughout the years and are difficult for the public to ignore. Employers often use these examples of greed to hinder union organizing …show more content…

Sixty years ago, unions effected the lives of nearly all Americans. Unions negotiated the wages and working conditions of a large portion of the American work force and even influenced the wages of many non-union workers as well. (Freeman) However, the current legal system in America has almost created a situation that is not conducive to cooperation between labor and management. Under U.S. labor law, a union that wins an election in a workplace must represent all the workers in the bargaining unit, even the ones who may have voted against the union. With the passing of the right-to-work laws in 25 states, workers can now refuse to join a union or pay union dues, even if they 're employed in a unionized workplace, which is a major blow to organized labor. Given this option, many workers choose to stop supporting the union because it makes no sense to pay for a service that it is obligated to provide

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Philip Dray and his book “ There Is Power in a Union: The Epic Story of Labor in America” provide many information about the vital accomplishments of organized labor evangelists to draw upon. He show us the illuminate its central role in social, economic and political. Throughout his book, the security and dignity locate this struggle in all its various setting from union halls to the halls of Congress and the White House. He demonstrates the urgency of the contest between labor and capital still remains and influences today. Philip Dray offers us with an historic account of the labor-management relations in the United State.

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How important are these unions in nowadays? Perhaps, there is the main controversy about the theory of union power. The author believes that the entire structure must change and the central principle of representation "quid and the quo" need renovation. Estlund believes the new century needs new ideas and different approaches. The current employees can’t rely on the laws and concepts, which created centuries ago for that time's specific needs.

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In the midst of unemployment, unions gained strength. The unions could be seen as a positive impact on society because they showcased people standing up for their rights, however the truth was far from that. The strikes organized by union leaders were violent and unsafe. Protesters blocked trains, burned railcars and set buildings aflame. One man, General Nelson A. Miles sensed that the spreading unrest was, “‘more threatening and far-reaching than anything that had occurred before”’

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Before the structured labor society that we live in today, America was a very different working world; one plagued with injustice and grievances from workers across the job sectors. Two organizations, the Knights of Labor and later the American Federation of Labor acted as activists for reform and demanded better standards for working, living, and life for workers. Their strategies and success in achieving their goals were as different as the organizations themselves. Coming from a time of segregation and social divide, the Knights of Labor stood out as one of the most accepting labor unions of the age, which largely accounted for their membership to reach almost 800,000 members during its peak. All workers in a trade were included, regardless of their skill level.

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In the Taft-Hartley Act, the US Congress demonstrated this by demolishing the rights of worker unions and strikes, giving the employers overwhelming control over the lives of employees. The National Labor Relations Act, or Wagner Act, passed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, previously protected the strikes and collective bargaining of employees and labor unions. However, with the passage of the Taft-Hartley Act, labor unions were much weaker than before, and many even branded this act as the “slave-labor act.” “To pass the Taft-hartley Act that lifted many of the protections organized labor had enjoyed since the passage of the Wagner Act in the 1930s” (Fraser 754). With the passage of the Taft-Hartley Act, many of the rights that protected the rights of workers to collectively bargain with their employers without any risk of losing their jobs and union strikes, were significantly weakened.

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Labor and the US Government from 1890-1945 A key aspect of this nation’s history lies in the ever-shifting relationship between its government and its common man, most specifically its labor workers. This relationship plays a crucial role in the understanding of the changes that took place in America between 1890 and 1945. The changing relationship between government and labor workers in the United States between 1890 and 1945 demonstrates a period of unrest and a transitional period in which the focus shifted towards the working class as a result of the greed and corruption of 19th century business elite , as can be seen in the labor strikes requiring government intervention of the late 19th century, the progressives of the early 20th century

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The organized labor of 1875-1900 was unsuccessful in proving the position of workers because of the future strikes, and the intrinsical feeling of preponderation of employers over employees and the lack of regime support. In 1877, railroad work across the country took part in a cyclopean strike that resulted in mass violence and very few reforms. An editorial, from the Incipient York Time verbalized: "the strike is ostensibly hopeless, and must be regarded as nothing more than a rash and splenetic demonstration of resentment by men too incognizant or too temerarious to understand their own interest" (Document B). In 1892, workers at the Homestead steel plant near Pittsburg ambulated out on strike and mass chaos the lives of at least two Pinkerton detectives and one civilian, among many other laborers death (Document G).

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Conflicts between workers and employers are prevalent to this day. From fair wages, to better working conditions, and even to appropriate healthcare, there is always some form of questioning that needs to be addressed. Dating back to the late 1800’s the economy and labor market of the United States underwent massive changes which mainly revolved around people of all different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds becoming wage laborers. Due to these previously unheard-of changes, a conflict between the employees and employers began. Therefore, in order to resolve labor issues, through great difficulty workers created unions and protested against their employers.

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(Document A) These rich businessmen also hated the idea of unions, and even insulted them because they wanted to extend hours with less pay, the opposite of what the unions wanted. An example of one of these businessmen insulting the unions was Henry Clay Frick, president of Carnegie Steel in 1892 who said “...I will never recognize the union, never, never” (Document D) These problems still aren’t fully solved today, there are still wealthy business owners that blame the poor for being poor, and dislike labor

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The National Labor Relations Act allows employees to form a union or join a preexisting union. The same act prevents employers from standing in the way of workers attempting to unionize. Many organizations frown on unionization, but regardless of their opinion, they cannot interfere with employment rights. Employers are violating the law if they threaten employee 's jobs, question union activities, or eliminate benefits for employees by unionization. They also cannot offer benefits or perks to employees for refusing to unionize, as this could be seen as illegal persuasion (Employer/Union Rights, n.d.).

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The Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor are just two examples of labor unions. Working in such poor conditions with little pay was a harsh reality. Labor unions provided at least some hope of change for workers. A worker in Hollitz explained that the reason he went on strike from George Pullman’s “model” company was because, “five reductions in wages, work, and in conditions of employment…” The railroad strike of 1877 grew violent, as workers demanded better wages.

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An in depth analysis of the factors that led to the rise of labor unions in the United States only reveals that the basic need and the primary objective of the workering people was to secure economic and legal protection from their exploiting employers. The origins of the

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The topic of Labor Unions has been the focus of many political debates in recent years, with these discussions having people advocate for and against the unions. Labor Unions are an organization that represent a collective group of employees to protect and further theirs rights and interests. Labor Unions were first introduced in the eighteenth century with increasing numbers around the United States and the world, but unfortunately during the past decade these numbers have drastically decreased, resulting in less education and achievement of solidarity among employees. Solidarity is the unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest. Workers in the United States would benefit more through labor

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Cecile On The Phone Hesitates To Act Cecile On The Phone is a short film written and directed by Anabelle Dexter-Jones, who also plays the main character (Cecile). The film uses a mash up of shots inside Cecile's apartment along with scenes of the outside world to show the contrast between Cecile and her friends. She is hesitating to have a conversation with her ex while her friends are out in the world living their lives. This containment and hesitation throughout the film makes a larger statement about living in the past tense, in that living in the past tense is a way to keep the memory alive. However, it causes a struggle in the present and can end up feeling suffocating rather than liberating.

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Trade unions may also provide legal advice, financial assistance, sickness benefits and education facilities to their members. Trade union membership has been decline across the industrialized market economies in recent years. Decline in membership is due to largely to common developments such as a decline in employment in traditionally manufacturing industry and the growth of service employment and increasing levels of employment. The trade union’s main aim is to protect and advance the interest of its members in the workplace.

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