Labor Unions&

Health & Safety in the Workplace

Labor Unions&

Health & Safety in the Workplace

Sections 5 & 6Sections 5 & 6

Labor UnionsLabor Unions• Between the Civil War & early 20th

Century employees were forced to find jobs that they were not qualified for with poor conditions.

Labor Unions - organizations that represent workers in negotiations regarding employee rights.

• Between the Civil War & early 20th Century employees were forced to find jobs that they were not qualified for with poor conditions.

Labor Unions - organizations that represent workers in negotiations regarding employee rights.

Labor UnionsLabor Unions• Among the goals of Labor Unions

formed in the early 1900’s were:• Elimination of Child Labor• Elimination of Laws used to break up unions• Acceptance of the principle of collective

bargaining• Establishment of state & federal Bureau of

Labor• Passing of workman’s compensation laws• 8 hour work days

• Among the goals of Labor Unions formed in the early 1900’s were:

• Elimination of Child Labor• Elimination of Laws used to break up unions• Acceptance of the principle of collective

bargaining• Establishment of state & federal Bureau of

Labor• Passing of workman’s compensation laws• 8 hour work days

Labor UnionsLabor Unions• The push for labor unions was

greatest in the 1930’s during the Great Depression.

• They flourished as the USA became a dominant producer and key player in the world economy after WW II.

• Membership in Labor Unions peaked in 1975 with 35% of workers in unions.

• The push for labor unions was greatest in the 1930’s during the Great Depression.

• They flourished as the USA became a dominant producer and key player in the world economy after WW II.

• Membership in Labor Unions peaked in 1975 with 35% of workers in unions.

Labor UnionsLabor Unions• Today about 12% of workers are in a

union. • Unions cover employees in:ManagementService OccupationsConstruction & Maintenance

Occupations TransportationEducation

• Today about 12% of workers are in a union.

• Unions cover employees in:ManagementService OccupationsConstruction & Maintenance

Occupations TransportationEducation

Labor UnionsLabor Unions• National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

- Federal agency established to administer the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) which we have already studied!

• The purpose of NLRA is to serve the public interest by reducing interruptions in commerce caused by industrial conflict.

• National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) - Federal agency established to administer the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) which we have already studied!

• The purpose of NLRA is to serve the public interest by reducing interruptions in commerce caused by industrial conflict.

Labor UnionsLabor Unions- In non-union jobs employers set the level of

wages & hours of labor- In union jobs, unions negotiate with employers on

behalf of the employees. This is called Collective Bargaining.

- Employees now share the responsibility with employers to establish orderly procedures.

- When collective bargaining fails the union can take a vote to strike. If agreement is made then a contract is signed/resigned.

- In non-union jobs employers set the level of wages & hours of labor

- In union jobs, unions negotiate with employers on behalf of the employees. This is called Collective Bargaining.

- Employees now share the responsibility with employers to establish orderly procedures.

- When collective bargaining fails the union can take a vote to strike. If agreement is made then a contract is signed/resigned.

Labor UnionsLabor Unions

• Grievances - Differences of opinion over how contract provisions should be interpreted.

• Arbitrator - neutral party called in to settle grievance matters

• Grievances - Differences of opinion over how contract provisions should be interpreted.

• Arbitrator - neutral party called in to settle grievance matters

Health & Safety in the Workplace

Health & Safety in the Workplace

• 3500 workers die per year in job- related accidents• 1 in 5 workers injured while operating power

saws said that no training was provided.• 71% of 868 workers with head injuries said

they had no instruction concerning hard hats• 61% of 554 workers hurt servicing equipment

said they weren’t informed about procedures to shut off electrical components.

• 3500 workers die per year in job- related accidents• 1 in 5 workers injured while operating power

saws said that no training was provided.• 71% of 868 workers with head injuries said

they had no instruction concerning hard hats• 61% of 554 workers hurt servicing equipment

said they weren’t informed about procedures to shut off electrical components.

Health & Safety in the Workplace

Health & Safety in the Workplace

• AVOID PROBLEMS!1. Understand potential

hazards2. Learn safe ways to perform tasks3. Apply what you know in a hazardous situation

• AVOID PROBLEMS!1. Understand potential

hazards2. Learn safe ways to perform tasks3. Apply what you know in a hazardous situation

Health & Safety in the Workplace

Health & Safety in the Workplace

• Be informed• Practice unsafe measures• Beware of work fatigue• Avoid the use drugs/alcohol on the

job• Use employee assistance program

when possible

• Be informed• Practice unsafe measures• Beware of work fatigue• Avoid the use drugs/alcohol on the

job• Use employee assistance program

when possible

Health & Safety in the Workplace

Health & Safety in the Workplace

• Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA)• Created in 1970• Requires employer to provide a safe &

healthful workplace• Enforced by fines and random job checks

• OSHA guidelines must be posted at job site• As an employee if you feel unsafe you may

contact OSHA to report your employer (anonymous)

• Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA)• Created in 1970• Requires employer to provide a safe &

healthful workplace• Enforced by fines and random job checks

• OSHA guidelines must be posted at job site• As an employee if you feel unsafe you may

contact OSHA to report your employer (anonymous)

Health & Safety in the Workplace

Health & Safety in the Workplace

• Violent Crime & Worker Safety• Avoid apprehending criminals yourself• Don’t maintain eye contact• Determine height, weight, race, etc.• Give them what they ask for. Cooperate.• Do not follow robbers outside• Identify a vehicle if you can

• Violent Crime & Worker Safety• Avoid apprehending criminals yourself• Don’t maintain eye contact• Determine height, weight, race, etc.• Give them what they ask for. Cooperate.• Do not follow robbers outside• Identify a vehicle if you can

Health & Safety in the Workplace

Health & Safety in the Workplace

• Stress as a Job Hazard• Stress is a strain on persona endurance &

feelings and is unique for each of us• It frequently spills over into other areas of

life and may be difficult to recognize

• Identify your stress triggers early!• Exercise is a great stress reliever• Communication can relieve stress• Take breaks when you feel it building

• Stress as a Job Hazard• Stress is a strain on persona endurance &

feelings and is unique for each of us• It frequently spills over into other areas of

life and may be difficult to recognize

• Identify your stress triggers early!• Exercise is a great stress reliever• Communication can relieve stress• Take breaks when you feel it building