Labor and union issues
What percentage of the US belong to the labor unions today?
10%
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
A contract between a union and management, The employer must abide by the condition specified in the agreement. Change can only come three subsequent negotiations with employees through their union representatives.
bargaining unit
A group of employees with similar interests and concerns that negotiate with the employer for better working conditions or pay.
Boycott
A group's refusal to have commercial dealings with some organization in protest against its policies
labor union
A legally recognized group dedicated to protecting the interests of its workers.
Mediation
A method of settling disputes outside of court by using the services of a neutral third party, called a mediator. The mediator acts as a communicating agent between the parties and suggests ways in which the parties can resolve their dispute.
Sick-out strike
A union pressure strategy in which all employees call in "sick" at the same time (this is generally used with cops and health workers because by contract they can't strike)
AFL-CIO (1955)
Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and the American Federation of Labor (AFL) joined together to create a united organization Represented 90% of union workers, It is still in effect today as a federation made up of 56 member unions.
If negotiation between management and labor unions break down what are the next steps?
Management may hire strikebreakers or lockout union members. Union members may boycott, strike, Picket or stage sick-outs.
If agreement cannot be reached between the employer and the union representatives what are other means to settle the dispute?
Mediation and arbitration
American Federation of Labor (AFL) 1886
Nationwide labor union that by the 1890s was open only to skilled, white workers. The AFL was known as a "bread and butter" union because it sought only to achieve higher wages, minimize hours, and improve working conditions rather than transform American society. "Skilled workers"
collective bargaining
Negotiations between representatives of labor unions and management or employer to determine pay and acceptable working conditions.
Straight breakers or scabs
Personnel who are hired to replace workers who strike. Weather temporarily or permanently.
Who do unions represent?
Public sector industries, manufacturing industries, in construction specially "craft" groups, entertainers, supporting industries, writers, builders and construction.
Labor unions negotiate what?
Salaries, health benefits and working hours.
Why were labor unions necessary?
They began as a means to protect workers from terrible injustices employers, inflicted upon them in the 19 century.
Unions today
Unions are looking at international coordination to protect their interest
What is the easiest way of forming a union?
When the employer or owner allows his company become union.
Characteristics of a union
Workers join and pay membership dues They have paid full-time staff Some unions create strike funds Unions elect officers and shop stewards who make decisions for the entire body and represent the members in dealing with management. Union locals are created by workers of the same industry company company, region, or business sector
Lockout
a company tool to fight union demands by refusing to allow employees to enter its facilities to work
Locals
local unions that represent employees in a specific geographic area or facility
picket
parade in front of the employer's business carrying signs about the dispute
Arbitration
settling a dispute by agreeing to accept the decision of an impartial outsider
strike
to refuse to work in order to force an employer to meet certain demands
Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO)
union organization of unskilled workers; broke away from the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1935 and rejoined it in 1955, It was to represent the entire industries.