Abstract This paper discusses two Hollywood films on laborunions, corruption and labor-capital conflict. It explores how each film depicts union activity. The films are Elia Kazan's 1954 "On the Waterfront" and Paul Schrader's 1997 "Blue Collar. The paper examines the different style and approach to union politics of each film.
From the Paper Hollywood has often used its capacity as a producer of popular entertainment to address political and ideological concerns..."
Abstract The paper discusses the history of laborunions and disagrees with the belief that laborunions are archaic and provide few benefits to workers in the 21st century. The paper explores the political power and influence that laborunions have in shaping Senate and House legislation in the US, in addition to monitoring the policies that may impact domestic labor. The paper shows how laborunion influence in contemporary United States politics and public policy has gained momentum in shaping the outcome of domestic and foreign policy.
Outline:
The Contemporary Role of LaborUnions The LaborUnionPower Game
Changes that Impacted the LaborUnion Political Strategy
From the Paper "The original form and function of the labor union was to provide protection, benefits and a political voice for workers in manufacturing and skilled trades. In the early 20th century, the AFL-CIO was formed, and influential movers such as Samuel Gompers aided in the facilitation of increased wages and benefits for textile and manufacturing workers. The power of labor unions progressed so quickly and drastically, that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt included a labor regulation policy in the New Deal in the early 1930's. As a result, the Department of Labor was established to monitor the authenticity of labor unions in addition to regulating the practices and extent of power of these advocacy groups."
Abstract This paper points out that by acting on behalf of a large group, the laborunions have more power than if the employees acted alone. This paper describes and compares United Airline's and Ford Motor Company's labor practices and problems. This paper presents an ideal employer-labor relationship.
From the Paper "Congress, starting to feel pressure for groups like the AFL, created the U.S. Department of Labor. The department has a mandate to protect and extend the rights of wageworkers. A children's bureau was created. In 1914, the first law to protect workers was enacted, the Clayton Act said that ?the labor of A Human Being is not a commodity or an article of commerce.? Because of this change in the legal status of work and labor, those things were no longer subject to the Sherman Act provisions that had been the legal basis for injunctions against union organizations. The Clayton Act allowed for strikes, boycotts, peaceful picketing and dramatically limited the use of injunctions in labor disputes."
Tags:power, united, ford, practices, problems, ideal, relationship, uaw, iam, negotiation
Abstract This paper discusses the power of laborunions and their tactics.
The paper first explains that labor relations are a natural outgrowth of laborunions that depict the relationships between the unions and management. The paper then discusses how it is in both laborunions' and managements' interests to cooperate and work alongside each other.
From the Paper "A labor union is a representative group that can bargain with management on such diverse issues as wages, working conditions, relations, and even health care coverage. They can also recommend to the union members certain actions be taken by the membership in order to influence the outcome of such bargaining. Unions are also known for the influence they wield in regards to politics and implementing or changing laws that affect their membership(s)."
Abstract This paper explains that the US laborunion movement began in the 19th century as a response to the poor working conditions of the Industrial Revolution. Next, the author describes the factors that led to the expansion of the membership in this movement, which peaked in 1945. The author relates that today unions faces with decreasing significance because of declining dues and diminishing political and social relevance. However, the paper concludes, there are still many pockets of the American workforce for whom unionism has relevance especially in the service sector, which has a high percentage of minorities or new immigrants as employees.
Table of Contents:
Background
The Rise and Fall of Unions Unions Today
The Future of the Union Movement
Conclusion
From the Paper "Union recruiting was an aggressive endeavor at the time. The right of workers to organize was not widely recognized, and corporations used a variety of techniques include strikebreakers and the dismissal of organizers to discourage workers from organizing. Unions, for their part, typically sold themselves on the basis of the benefits they offered workers. They would plant an employee or group of employees in a target company and quickly begin to rally support for better working conditions, wages and benefits."
Tags: afl cio, great depression, legal framework, undocumented foreign laborers
This paper contains an historical overview of the U.S. labor movement between 1790 and the 1820s and discusses the birth pangs of the early efforts which gave way to greater and more secure victories for workers.
Abstract This paper examines the vital role of laborunions in the U.S. which existed long before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The writer of this paper gives a detailed historic overview of the U.S. labor movement during which time significant innovations and advancements were made to provide the foundation for today's thriving network of unions. The paper also discusses the last decade of the 18th century that saw the institution of unions in its infancy in which new bands of workers united to protect each other and their interests despite being met with much opposition by their employers.
From the Paper "The 1820s saw several potential routes to progress on the labor front. A rush of utopian fervor and a desire to avoid some of the industrial hells of Europe prompted the establishment of the Lowell Experiment in 1820, providing a safe, hygienic, clean environment for female textile mill workers in Lowell, Massachusetts. The mill also paid extremely high wages and such benefits as library privileges and sitting rooms. A utopian community was also formed by Robert Owen in Illinois and Indiana in 1825; however, this organization failed after three years.
The women's labor movement was also felt in 1824."
Abstract This paper provides an overview of laborunions, a number of reasons for a decline in their membership, and a discussion of right-to-work laws and their effect on the unionization process. An analysis of the similarities between conflict theorists and functional theorists in the discussion of laborunions is followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.
From the Paper "A labor union, according to Black's Law Dictionary (1990), is "a combination or association of workers organized for purposes of securing favorable wages, improved labor conditions, better hours of labor, etc., and righting grievances against employers (875). Labor unions generally represent trades, crafts, and other skilled workers such as plumbers and truck drivers (Black's 1990). Unions were originally formed in response to the increasingly severe hardships that were imposed on working people through the process of industrialization (Galenson 1994). The shifts from an agrarian to industrial society resulted in many people being uprooted from their traditional homes and work."
Abstract This paper describes the effects of the decrease of laborunions on the labor market. It examines why unions are declining and the trends that are occurring.
From the Paper "Since 1979 the percentage of union workers in the United States has declined from twenty-four percent to fourteen percent. However, forty-eight percent of workers in this country would join if presented with a free, non-coerced choice, thus union membership would more than triple overnight. Unionists though know all to well that the National Labor Relations Act gives employers plenty of way to prevent workers from exercising freedom of association. One example is the Act's guarantee of the right to organize is so poorly enforced that roughly four percent of all worker who vote union are fired by their employers. Moreover, union organizers cannot keep pace with the loss of union jobs to outsourcing, automation, and job export."
Abstract The paper presents an in-depth narrative on the importance of efficient labor cost management and highlights the effects that laborunions have on a business organization. In particular, the paper discusses the fact that unions and lean production programs are there to ensure correct planning of the methods employed to increase efficiency and productivity. The paper also relates that, if these factors are implemented, employers can introduce ideal levels of communication and receive co-operation and assistance from employees.
Outline:
Introduction
Common goals
Common challenges
Common realities
Strategic options and approaches
Conclusions
From the Paper "Sound directives from management lead to responsiveness to company culture and inspire loyalty to the company. When workers feel secure, properly represented and involved in the company, the desire for collective action is not as significant (Dong-One and Voos, 1997). Sound leadership and motivation is able to guide the members of the organization towards the accomplishment of the major goal which is profits, efficiency and effectivity of the company.
"To achieve these, one has to be able to manage labor relations well. So, if workers turn to union organization as a means of communication and solving their concerns, considering the decline in unionization by workers, it may very well mean indeed that leadership and motivation strategies that are being implemented is not effective or enough to develop optimum labor relations."
Abstract The paper examines three works that analyze the downfall of the American labor movement, but also provide positive information on the transformation of the laborunion organizational structure. The paper discusses laborunions' aggressive grassroots campaign, their extension of member demographics and their efforts to establish legitimacy. The paper concludes that, although smaller in size, the influence of laborunions in the political arena is still strong and through expansion and reinvention, laborunions may become the driving force of labor market issues in the 21st century.
Outline:
Labor Organization and Movement
Expanding the Grassroots Campaign
Legitimacy and Organizational Structure
From the Paper "The state of the modern American labor movement has seen a drastic change since the congressional and election reforms of the 1970's. Not only did the McGovern reforms eliminate the influence of political party leaders, it served to change the strategic approach of labor unions in the political arena. Additionally, the McGovern Reforms of 1972 addressed the partiality in the Democratic delegation, and hindered the labor unions from seating specific delegates that were labor friendly. In this sense, labor unions were forced to choose Democratic candidates much more wisely, and impaired the standard blanket effort to sponsor multiple Democratic candidates in a single race."
Abstract This paper, written from a pro-union stance, provides background information on the development of unions, explains the reasons that workers unionize, and takes a look at the pro and con sides of unionization.
From the Paper "It goes without saying that the balance of power between the employers is always heavily tilted in favor of the employers. The workers are, therefore, vulnerable to gross exploitation leading to low pay, long working hours and poor working conditions. In an unequal relationship, a lone worker stands no chance against an employer who is focused on deriving the maximum profit from his business. Collectively, of course, the workers can be a force to be reckoned with. The initial period of the Industrial Revolution, both in Europe and the United States, was marked by appalling working conditions, and grinding poverty for vast numbers of the working people. Twelve-hour or longer working days for 7 days a week under the harshest of conditions were the norm. The birth of the Labor Movement was, therefore, a logical outcome. Workers in factories, coal-mines, and rail-roads began to organize themselves and demanded better pay and working conditions. The employers, who were used to getting things done cheaply, opposed the formation of such "unions" vigorously. This led to confrontation and strikes but eventually the workers were able to get some of their demands accepted."
Abstract This paper discusses the history and development of laborunions in the United States from the 1920s until the present day. It describes the changes in public opinion regarding the laborunions over this period of time and then discusses ways to increases the chances of laborunion success. Finally, the paper discusses the Employee Free Choice Act and corruption within the laborunions.
Table of Contents:
History of LaborUnions From the 20s to the Present
Wavering Public Opinion on LaborUnions 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 LaborUnions
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)."
Abstract This paper examines how during the nineteenth century, labor organizations focused on ways to strengthen and secure themselves. In contrast, it looks at how today, laborunions are faced with a much different world and how due to the changing environment, companies are realizing a larger economy of scale by becoming part of the global economy. It discusses the role of the laborunion as well as the advantages and disadvantages of hiring unionized workers.
Outline
Introduction
LaborUnions of the Past
LaborUnions of Today
What Does a Union Do?
Reasons for Joining a Union Conclusion
From the Paper "The first concern of a labor union is getting members, organizing the unorganized. Every national union carries on organizing activities through a staff of professional organizers. These days the organizers are likely to be well-educated, sophisticated individuals, with a college degree. Although their carefully planned organizing efforts will be aided by rank and file members, union organizers must have the same knowledge of human motivation and skill in communications techniques as any vice-president of marketing. Organizers in a sense are marketing people, marketing the concept of union membership. Companies vulnerable to unionization often have consultants on retainer or experts on staff to forestall or defeat attempts to organize them."
Abstract This paper discusses the rise of laborunions and what working conditions were like before laborunions. The paper fist relates that, with the rise in industry, workers were viewed as merely extensions of the machines that they operated, with their factory owners not caring about endangering them. The paper then looks at the National LaborUnion, the first national labor federation in the United States and how it led to the formation of the American Federation of Labor. The paper also looks at the American Railway Union and the Industrial Workers of the World international union. The paper describes the Great Railway Strike, the Haymarket affair and the Triangle shirtwaist factory fire. The paper also outlines the main leaders of the laborunions.
From the Paper "With the rise in industry, workers were viewed as merely extensions of the machines that they operated. They lost their identity as people which resulted in low wages and long hours. Factory owners did not care about endangering their employees. Industries such as the cotton trade were particularly difficult conditions as steam engines made the workplace very hot. Machinery was also not blocked off thus workers were exposed to the moving parts of the machines all day. ("Working Conditions During the Industrial Revolution.")
"Garment factories operated on a sweatshop system. The poorly ventilated rooms made the work uncomfortable while workers sat side by side doing a small piece of the work and passing it on to the next person. With this system, a worker would never be skilled enough to make an entire garment. Oftentimes workers were forced to stay late into the night until all the work was done or else they would not be paid for the day's work. ("What was the effect of the industrial revolution on factory workers?.""
Abstract This paper defines laborunions as associations composed of workers, which work within the same trade to advance the interest of members such as collective bargaining to improve wages, benefits and working conditions. The author points out that both European and American laborunions were created during the process of industrialization and came to prominence after World War II. The paper relates that that, in both regions, laborunions resulted in increases in economic stability and improvements in workers' rights.
Table of Contents
Introduction
LaborUnion Europe
American LaborUnions How Unions Affect Society and the Working Environment in Each Region
Conclusion
From the Paper "Like labor unions in Europe, American labor unions were also formed during industrialization. American labor unions have had an impact upon the economy and politics since their inception and they continue to play a large role in the American labor force. These unions encompass a large range of laborers, from restaurant workers to steel workers. American labor unions are extremely organized and are overseen by the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)."
