A Labor Union
A labor union is a legal organization formed together, usually made up of people with in the same industry. Its purpose is to protect its members from unfair treatment as well as from being overworked and underpaid. The first American organized union dates back to 1794, in Philadelphia a group of shoemakers gathered together to form the Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers. “They formed to maintain price structure and resist cheaper competition’ (United States History, par. 1). It was in 1866 that the first national labor federation was founded by William Sylvis, it was this union that paved the way for other organizations and pressed to establish the 8 hour work day.
1. Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). This union represents professional major-league baseball players. The MLBPA was not the first attempt to unionize baseball players; there were 4 other attempts before the MLBPA was created in 1953. In 1968 Marvin Miller headed the organization and negotiated the first collective bargaining agreement, raising the minimum salary from $6,000.00 to $10,000.00 per year (Wikipedia, par. 1). The professional players may be unionized to ensure that they are guaranteed their pay if they get hurt and can no longer finish the season, or they may want a no trade agreement so the owners would not be allowed to trade them to another team at any time during the contract.
2. American Federation of Teachers (AFT). This union represents teachers, paraprofessionals, and school related personnel; local, state and federal employees; higher education faculty and staff; and nurses and other health care professionals. The AFT members consist of members who teach or work in school related occupations (i.e.: teachers, school librarians, etc.), as well as nurses, dentists, and doctors. The AFT was founded in 1916, and is now the second largest education labor union in the United States, representing about 1.5 million members as of 2010.(United States History,
1. Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). This union represents professional major-league baseball players. The MLBPA was not the first attempt to unionize baseball players; there were 4 other attempts before the MLBPA was created in 1953. In 1968 Marvin Miller headed the organization and negotiated the first collective bargaining agreement, raising the minimum salary from $6,000.00 to $10,000.00 per year (Wikipedia, par. 1). The professional players may be unionized to ensure that they are guaranteed their pay if they get hurt and can no longer finish the season, or they may want a no trade agreement so the owners would not be allowed to trade them to another team at any time during the contract.
2. American Federation of Teachers (AFT). This union represents teachers, paraprofessionals, and school related personnel; local, state and federal employees; higher education faculty and staff; and nurses and other health care professionals. The AFT members consist of members who teach or work in school related occupations (i.e.: teachers, school librarians, etc.), as well as nurses, dentists, and doctors. The AFT was founded in 1916, and is now the second largest education labor union in the United States, representing about 1.5 million members as of 2010.(United States History,
Cited: Holley Jr, William H., Kenneth M. Jennings JR, and Roger S. Wolters. The Labor Relations Process. 9th ed.: 2009. Cafe scribe. United States History. N.p, n.d. Web. 31 Jan 2012. . Wikipedia. N.p, n.d. Web. 27 Jan 2012. . ---. N.p, n.d. Web. 31 Jan 2012. . Wikipedia.org. N.p, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2012. . acas. N.p, 12 Sept. 2011. Web. 31 Jan 2012. .