Question

Describe the labor movement in the U.S. from its beginnings to today. What went wrong for unionism? Is it still needed? Why hasn't unionism stayed at 1960's levels? What is the likelihood of unionism growing again? Be sure to support your stance with various historical markers, legislation, political stances, and other issues covered in our text and readings. Aim for roughly two pages, double spaced.

Answer 1

The labor movement in the United States grew out of the need to protect the common interest of workers. For those in the industrial sector, organized labor unions fought for better wages, reasonable hours and safer working conditions. The labor movement led efforts to stop child labor, give health benefits and provide aid to workers who were injured or retired.The labor movement in the United States grew out of the need to protect the common interest of workers. For those in the industrial sector, organized labor unions fought for better wages, reasonable hours and safer working conditions. The labor movement led efforts to stop child labor, give health benefits and provide aid to workers who were injured or retired.National unions bringing together local unions of the same trade from across the United States and Canada. Although the factory system was springing up during these years, industrial workers played little part in the early trade union development. In the 19th century, trade unionism was mainly a movement of skilled workers.​​​​​​​

Although the factory system was springing up during these years, industrial workers played little part in the early trade union development. In the 19th century, trade unionism was mainly a movement of skilled workers. Although the factory system was springing up during these years, industrial workers played little part in the early trade union development. In the 19th century, trade unionism was mainly a movement of skilled workers.​​​​​​​  The opening up of overseas markets increased competition in many highly organized industries.​​​​​​​ President Reagan’s public firing of striking air traffic controllers vividly demonstrated to a weakened labor movement that times had changed. Anti-union politicians repeatedly blocked all union-backed efforts to re-balance the playing field, most recently in 2008-2009, with the successful Senate filibuster of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Unions are important because they help set the standards for education, skill levels, wages, working conditions, and quality of life for workers. Union-negotiated wages and benefits are generally superior to what non-union workers receive. Most union contracts provide far more protections than state and federal laws.

Four Reasons For The Decline In Union Membership. ... In good times, workers don't need unions to secure increases in wages and benefits because everybody profits from economic prosperity. In bad times, unions can't protect their members from layoffs, wage and benefit reductions and tougher working conditions.

Unions help close racial wage gaps, by creating pay transparency, correcting salary discrepancies, establishing clearer terms for raises and promotions, disproportionately boosting the wages of lower-wage workers, and helping workers who have been discriminated against achieve equity. Hourly wages for women represented by unions are 9.2 percent higher on average than for comparable non unionized women, and black and Hispanic workers get a disproportionate boost from unionization compared with their white counterparts.That's why​​​​​​​ there's a lot of likelihood of unionism growing again .