Labor Unions and Success

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the history and development of labor unions in the United States from the 1920s until the present day. It describes the changes in public opinion regarding the labor unions over this period of time and then discusses ways to increases the chances of labor union success. Finally, the paper discusses the Employee Free Choice Act and corruption within the labor unions.

Table of Contents:
History of Labor Unions
From the 20s to the Present
Wavering Public Opinion on Labor Unions
How Successful or Unsuccessful: How to Improve Chances of Success
Influence on the Decline
The Employee Free Choice Act to Perk Up Union Growth
Corruption Among Labor Unions

From the Paper:

"Leaders of the Big Labor were not too happy about the new disclosure rules from the Department of Labor (D'Agostino 2003). The rules could expose the unions' finances. The revised Form LM-2 must be filed by labor unions earning $250,000 or more annually. The Office of Labor-Management Standards said that convictions for the past five years for union corruption had an average of 11 per month. Critics and other observers had long complained about the laxity of the government in union disclosure rules. The Department also said that Form LM-2's reporting requirements would be far less intrusive and difficult than corporation files. It would not require independent supervision of union financial reporting. Before this new Form, public corporations and non-profit organizations had to submit their books for review by independent auditors. Now, unions must itemize expenses below $5,000. In contrast, federal political campaigns must itemize costs above $200. The Labor Department said that the rules could be implemented without need for congressional action (D'Agostino)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Borrell, Charles A. How Unions Can Improve Their Success Rate in Labor Arbitration. Dispute Resolution Journal: American Arbitration Association, 2006
• D'Agostino, Joseph A. Labor Department Moves Against Union Corruption. Human Events: Human Events Publishing, Inc., 2003
• Lester, Will. Poll: Labor Unions Gain Sympathy. The Associated Press: Common Dreams News Center, 2001
• McMenamin, Michael. Labor Lost: Declining Influence of Labor Unions. Reason: Reason Foundation, 2000
• Social Studies Help Center: Labor Union Movement in America, 2007; http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/Eco_Unionization.htm (Accessed November 7, 2007)

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