trade union own actions Flashcards
right to join agree. 1
The use of effective sit-down strikes by UAW and Steelworkers’ union after Wagner Act 1935 forced reluctant employers to obey law. It also led to employers taking the case to the SC which ruled the Wagner Act constitutional and that they must recognize workers’ right to join.
Also led to General motors + Chryster to recognize UAW and US steel to recognize steel workers union
right to join limitation.1
The use of violence only hindered their right to join more. For example: Haymarket Affair 1886 which led to mass dislike of unions from both workers and the public. Further weakened and divided workforce due to hostility from white Americans, also led to demise of KOL as well as many unions breaking away from it.
Homestead Strike 1892, violence led to union membership going form 24,000 in 1891 to 10,00 in 1894 and by 1900 not a single steel plant was unionized in Pensylvania
right to join against. 1
FG most important
Wagner Act 1935 enshrined in law workers’ right to join and engage in collective bargaining; union membership soared as a result; led to creation of CIO and a sustained effort to unionise unskilled workers in mass production industries.
1962: JFK Executive Order recognising the right of federal employees to engage in collective bargaining. Part of his general ‘New Frontiers’ programme which aimed for significant political and social reforms.
Federal Labour Relations Act 1978 pushed for by President Carter; allowed federal, state and local government officials to join a union. However, the Act stated that any strike that interfered with the operation of a federal agency was not permitted.
right to join against. 2
Wartime context also helped facilitate progress:
appeasing actions by NWLB during both wars; recognition of unions and organisations representing labour for first time during WW1; negotiations during WW2.
Maintenance of membership agreement during WW2 (compromise between demands of unions, who wanted a closed shop, and employers, who wanted to hire at will)
right to strike limitations 1.1
Strike action form John L post WW2 resulted in Smith-Connelly Act in 1943 being passed which allowed the president to seize any where strike action was threatening wartime production. also made it illegal to instigate such strikes.
right to strike limitations 1.2
John Lewis actiosn also led to the passing of the Taft-Hartly Act 1947 which put further limitations on the right to strike.
right to strike against 1
its can be argued FG had important impact as without legislation strikes were easily crushed. Wagner Act 1935 as it permitted closed shops and banned the use of spies used by employers to suppress any threat of strike.
rights to strike limitation 2.1
Sherman Anti-Trust Act 1890, allowed injunctions to prohibit strikes; first used during Pullman Strike 1894; sanctioned by Supreme Court and then used by successive employers to crush strikes until outlawed by Norris-La Guardia Act of 1932.
PATCO 1981 Reagan’s reaction to the PATCO strike had a detrimental impact on the numbers of
workers in unions, union membership and strike action plummeted as a result of hostile attitude of FG
labor rights agree 1
AFL’s early leadership by Samuel Gompers (formed 1886) was effective in winning acceptance from some major employers. Gompers: diehard capitalist who simply wanted higher wages and better conditions for his workers, not to overhaul society. Thus avoided the taint of radicalism that beset other unions such as the ‘Wobblies’ and prevented them from achieving anything concrete. Some of USA’s most influential businessmen, such as Mark Hanna (coal, iron, railway and steamship businesses) and J.P.Morgan (banking) were prepared to work with Gompers to establish a forum for mediation in industries they controlled.
labor rights agree 2
In addition, following the creation of the AFL-CIO in 1955 with a combined membership of 16 million, American unions began to bargain over wages and working conditions with considerable success. Wages rose steadily, by over 2% per year; union workers earned around 20% more than non-union workers. Union employers provided benefits worth 60% more than were given to non-union workers
labor rights against 1
Until Federal Government acted to push through legislation, workers’ rights continued to be poor.
Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation such as the FLSA 1938 set a minimum working wage and a maximum on hours work. Social Security Act 1935 gave old age benefits for workers, benefits for victims of industrial accidents, unemployment insurance and aid to dependent mothers and children.
labor rights against 2
Wartime context generally led to an improvement in wages and conditions of work:
Industrial boom; conciliatory attitude by government; during WWI real wages rose by 20% due to economic factors and the need to attract and maintain labour; for similar reasons an eight hour day was implemented by the NWLB. Similarly during WWII, ‘Little Steel Formula’ (1942) resulted in 15% cost of living increase in wages agreement
