Labor Unions Linkage Institutions Linkage Institutions Interest Groups

Labor Unions Linkage Institutions

Linkage Institutions Interest Groups How do workers organize to influence policy?

Labor Unions Interest Groups

Labor Unions What are they? Labor Unions Representatives of workers in many industries 100 They advocate for policies that ensure better working conditions and wages Unions exist at the individual workplace level ( at one specific business ) Large nationwide unions lobby and electioneer at the national level to influence laws that impact workers

Labor Unions What are they? Collective Bargaining A process of negotiation between employers and employees 100 The union and management reach collective agreements that set wage scales, hours, etc. The collective bargaining agreement functions as a contract between the workers and the company All new hires work under the rules of the CBA until a new CBA is negotiated.

Labor History Interest Groups

Labor Unions Industrialization 1800 s Labor Unions begin to spread in industrial cities in response to economic & social changes of industrialization The Supreme Court ruled that unions were legal in 1840 s. American Federation of Labor formed in 1886 and became a major source of support for Democrats. Railroad growth helped spread unions nationwide in late 1800 s.

Labor Unions Pullman Strike 1800 s In 1894, in response to wage cuts, workers in the American Railway Union went on strike against the Pullman Co. The strike crippled the entire railway system President Cleveland sent the army in to break up the strike because it interfered with the delivery of US mail. 13 strikers were killed by the army, 57 wounded & the leader went to prison.

Labor Unions Wagner Act New Deal Part of FDR’s New Deal – National Labor Relations Act of 1935 Guarantees the rights of workers to organize as unions and engage in collective bargaining. The right to strike was also protected Created the National Labor Relations Board to enforce this law (meaning they can make businesses bargain with unions)

Labor Unions Taft Hartley Act Decline Limited the rights of unions (Truman vetoed it, but Congress overrode the veto) Banned unions from donating to candidates (they have to form a PAC like other groups) Prevented unions from calling strikes that threatened national security Banned the “closed shop”

Labor Unions 1970 s & 1980 s Decline US manufacturing began to decline compared to overseas competitiion Companies began to move their manufacturing to the South where unions were weaker Businesses began to respond to the threat of a strike by threatening to move the jobs away The number of strikes declined by 97% Many industries were deregulated despite union opposition

Labor Unions Reagan Decline Was a former union president when he was an actor, and supported unions in his campaigning for presidency In 1981, air traffic controllers went on strike – Reagan ordered them to return to work because of national security. When they did not end the strike, Reagan fired all 13, 000 air traffic controllers nationwide. It took 10 years to fully re-staff This set a precedent for union-management relations moving forward.

Labor Unions Today Interest Groups

Labor Unions Membership Today 14. 6 million workers are a part of unions 10. 7% of all workers belong to a union Workers are more likely to belong to a union if they work in the public sector than the private sector Less than 7% of workers in the private sector belong to a union

Labor Unions Membership Today People in unions are older than average Union members are disproportionately male. More union members work in the Northeast and Midwest Union workers earn 10 -20% higher wages on average.

Labor Unions Umbrella Unions Today Most unions are part of an umbrella organization: the AFL-CIO or the Change to Win Federation These organizations advocate for workers policies with the US Govt. Both umbrella unions tend to support Democratic politicians more then Republicans AFL-CIO workers earn 33% more than their non-union counterparts

Labor Unions Public Sector Today Workers are more likely to be unionized if they work for the government. City workers, teachers , policemen, and fire departments tend to be the most powerful unions today 31% of federal government workers and 35% of state government workers belong to public sector unions They have fought for pension plans that are becoming financial burdens for these governments, leading conservative legislatures to attack their ability to collectively bargain.

Labor Union Policy Interest Groups

Labor Unions Closed Shop Union Shop Businesses are only allowed to hire members of the union. This makes the union very strong because all potential employees have to be a part of the union The union also has the power to force the employer to fire anyone who is kicked out of the union

Labor Unions Union Shop The employer can hire anyone, but that worker must join the union. This makes the union very strong. All workers are a part of it. They are better able to negotiate with management because all workers are involved This also ensures the union won’t lose strength over time.

Labor Unions Right to Work Laws Right To Work Laws These policies are passed by state legislatures, not businesses Right to work law bans the union shop No workers can be forced to join the union. This makes the unions much weaker. They lose membership because workers can free ride

Labor Unions Right to Work Laws Right To Work Laws Are more likely to be passed by Republican controlled legislatures. Republicans rely heavily on business owners as voters and supporters Unions tend to support Democrats

Labor Unions Public Sector Unions Right To Work Laws Some conservative legislatures in states have passed laws limiting their public sector unions from collective bargaining. People argue that these unions are too strong since they technically help to elect their own bosses. Overly generous benefits to these unions are a drain on state budgets and therefore are unfair to tax payers

Labor Unions Right to Work Laws Right To Work Laws

Bigly Ideas Linkage Institutions

History Wrap Up Labor Unions Collective Bargaining Policies Impacting Labor Right to Work Laws Focus on these things: