Union Study

What is a Labor Union?

• Recognized organization of workers that negotiates wages, working conditions, and other benefits with employers.

Other nations

• Canada….37%

• United States…..11%

• UK…..43%

• Sweden…..90%

First unions in Canada

• The first to develop were unions of workers in a skilled craft or trade. Craft Unions. They represented printers, shoemakers masons, bakers, and tailors.

• These unions originated in the Maritimes, Quebec, and Ontario

Industrial Union

• They represent workers in a particular firm or industry regardless of trade or level of skill. They came after craft unions. They represented workers and janitors in a company,

WW I and WW II

• 1914, Union membership rose to 166 000 because of war, industry was very important.

• 1919..Winnipeg General Strike. This event failed, which made unions look bad. This event caused a significant drop in membership. Many leaders were jailed. “bloody saturday”.

• Membership also declined during the depression• Membership increased during the war due to a

war time industry and the right to organize.

Local

• Most important part of the union.

• A person joins the union, dues are paid, vote for local reps, conduct negotiations.

ex. Hants West Local

National/International Union

• A union with a membership base within a single country.

• A union that has a membership based in more than one country

• The represent the needs of their members at the national/international level.

CLC

• Canadian Labor Congress

• The American counterpart is the AFL-CIO

• AFL…American Federation of Labor

• CIO…Congress of Industrial Organization

Collective Bargaining

• Negotiation between reps of workers and employers. The purpose is to establish working conditions that are acceptable to both sides.

• The advantage that workers have is they are able to have a say in their work environment.

• The purpose is to reach agreement on wages, pensions, workload, and holidays.

Collective Agreement

• Contract between workers and management on how issues in the relationship will be resolved, as well as benefits enjoyed by the worker and expectations from the employer.

Arbitration

• Process by which problems are resolved between workers and management.

• A person acting as an arbitrator will listen to both sides of an argument and make a decision that is binding. This person has the authority of a judge.

• It takes place only after both sides can not agree on a resolution of a contract.

• It is significant because it can/will avoid strikes and lockouts.

Conciliation/Mediation

• Third party intervenes, but unlike an arbitrator, he only makes suggestions based on the arguments of both sides.

Strike/Lockout

• Strike…withholding of services by paid labor. This happens if conciliation is unsuccessful

• Lockout…Management may lock out its workers in response to a strike. Workers may not be able to enter the premises.

• It affects the economy by taking away the buying power of the consumer. Also, it affects supply on hand in businesses that need products delivered.

Sweated labor

• A shop or factory in which employees work long hours at low wages under poor conditions.

Wildcat Strike

• a strike begun by workers spontaneously or without union approval

Blacklist

• a list of banned or undesirable people, usually people who want to organize unions.

Scab

• is a person who works despite an ongoing strike. Scabs are usually individuals who are not employed by the company prior to the dispute, but rather hired after or during the strike to keep the organization running.

Yellow Dog Contract

• is an agreement between an employer and an employee in which the employee agrees, as a condition of employment, not to be a member of a labor union. They are now illegal in Canada

Feather-Bedding

• is the practice of hiring more workers than are needed to perform a given job, or to adopt work procedures which appear pointless, complex and time-consuming merely to employ additional workers. Layoffs are not allowed.

Sweetheart Agreement

• An agreement between an employer and a labor union on terms favorable to the employer and often arranged by a union official without the participation or approval of the union members.

Stoolie

• Someone that's a rat or a snitch in any way to give information ab out union activities.

Closed Shop/Open Shop

• Closed shop jobs are jobs where workers have to become members of a union within a specific period of time.

• Open shop jobs are where management can hire workers who are not obliged to become union members.

Fringe Benefits

• Payments and services other than wages or salary that are provided by an employee. Dental, pension, life insurance, and holiday pay.

COLA’s

• Cost of living allowances. Part of contracts that allows the worker keep on pace with rise in living prices.

Seniority

• Order in which workers were hired. In the event of layoffs workers whom are hired last are often laid off first.

• Specifically it shows the amount of years worked.

Future of Unions

• Membership in Great Britain dropped

• US membership dropped. Also Air Traffic Controllers went on strike and was fired by President Ronald Reagan.