Organized LaborCh 12, Section 2

Labor union – association of workers organized to improve wages and working conditions for its members.

Why do we have unions? based on the belief that as a group, workers

will have more influence on management. Working conditions in the 1800’s were very

poor - bad lighting, little ventilation, dangerous machinery was being used, long workweek, low wages, no sick leave, no paid vacations and holidays, no health care benefits.

Labor Union

2010 union membership, 14.7 million Americans, 11.9% of all workers. Down from 20% in 1980.

36% of public sector workers are union members. Ex. Postal workers, policeman, teachers, etc.

7% of all private sector workers are union members.

Labor Union Stats

Largest federation of trade unions in the U.S., made up of 56 national and international unions, representing 11 million workers.

Represented almost all unions from 1955-2005, when some unions started to break off and form new unions.

The AFL-CIO

Local union – made up of workers from a particular factory, company, or geographic area. Ex. Well’s Blue Bunny.

Closed shop – companies can only hire union members. Outlawed in 1947 by the Taft-Hartley Act.

Union shop – new employee must join the union after a specific period of time, usually 90 days.

Agency shop – employees are not required to join the union, but they must pay union dues.

How are they formed?

National unions – help the local unions with negotiations. Example, NEA helps the SCEA or the IEA.

How are they formed?

A law that forbids unions from forcing workers to join unions and/or pay union dues.

Right to work laws