Decline of the Union
The Decline of the Union
Unions were created with the everyday worker in mind, an opposite to the previous mindset where the employer ruled his employee and the employee had no recourse. Unions helped pave the way for many of the current rights we have in place for American workers today; such as the length of the workday and weekly hours, child labor laws, minimum salary requirements, workers compensation and safe working conditions. With so much advancement in the American workforce because of Unions, it is interesting that there is a steady decline in Union membership in America. There are many factors that contribute to the decline, such as change in workforce, outsourcing jobs, right to work states, economic interests and political opposition. Sadly though, a continuing decline combined with poor economic conditions could one day result in the loss of Union’s altogether, which could forever change the face of American labor. Union’s are a necessary component for the American laborer to protect their rights and protect them from the interests of industry. The threatening loss of Unions nationally threatens the rights of future laborer, which calls for immediate change to prevent this grave future.
Unions started early within the history of America, shortly after the Declaration of Independence was signed with skilled craftsmen whom formed guilds. The guilds were groups of workers who had the same trade skills who formed groups to protect common interests. As the Industrial Revolution powered through America, modern unions began to form, “to counter balance the wealth and power of a very few industrialists, as well as to battle the widespread poverty, misery and abuse of most workers,” ("Brief History," 2010, para. 7). Unions became a vital part of American history as the common man joined forces to rise up united to establish and protect their rights as workers. This fight was against 12-14 hour work days for little pay, and jobs that were often
Unions were created with the everyday worker in mind, an opposite to the previous mindset where the employer ruled his employee and the employee had no recourse. Unions helped pave the way for many of the current rights we have in place for American workers today; such as the length of the workday and weekly hours, child labor laws, minimum salary requirements, workers compensation and safe working conditions. With so much advancement in the American workforce because of Unions, it is interesting that there is a steady decline in Union membership in America. There are many factors that contribute to the decline, such as change in workforce, outsourcing jobs, right to work states, economic interests and political opposition. Sadly though, a continuing decline combined with poor economic conditions could one day result in the loss of Union’s altogether, which could forever change the face of American labor. Union’s are a necessary component for the American laborer to protect their rights and protect them from the interests of industry. The threatening loss of Unions nationally threatens the rights of future laborer, which calls for immediate change to prevent this grave future.
Unions started early within the history of America, shortly after the Declaration of Independence was signed with skilled craftsmen whom formed guilds. The guilds were groups of workers who had the same trade skills who formed groups to protect common interests. As the Industrial Revolution powered through America, modern unions began to form, “to counter balance the wealth and power of a very few industrialists, as well as to battle the widespread poverty, misery and abuse of most workers,” ("Brief History," 2010, para. 7). Unions became a vital part of American history as the common man joined forces to rise up united to establish and protect their rights as workers. This fight was against 12-14 hour work days for little pay, and jobs that were often
References: A Brief History of Unions. (2010). Retrieved from http://legacy.usw.org/usw/program/content/291.php Bernard, E. (1998). Why Unions Matter. Retrieved from http://www.njfac.org/us19.htm Budd, J. W. (2010). . In Labor Relations: Striking a Balance (p. 77). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Capelli, P. (2005). Union Leaders vs. Republican Legislators: What’s at Stake in the Standoff. Retrieved from http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid Conti & Carr (n.d). The Decline of Union Power. Retrieved from http://economics.about.com/od/laborinamerica/a/union_decline.htm Debevuc, N. (2011). Defanging Public Unions. Retrieved from http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/04/10/Politics-2011-Defanging-public-unions/UPI-28761302423300/#ixzz1JpbJWKJs Greenhouse, S. (2005). Splintered, but Unbowed, Are Unions Still Relevant? Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/30/business/30labor.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 Michigan State University. (2005). The Wagner Act. Retrieved from http://www.civics-online.org/library/formatted/texts/wagner_act.html Scott, R. (2003). The High Price of ’Free’ Trade. Retrieved March 30, 2011 from http://www.epi.org/publications/entry/briefingpapers_bp147/