After studying this chapter, you should be able to::
After studying this chapter, you should be able to: Give a brief history of the American labor movement.
Discuss the main features of at least three major pieces of labor legislation.
Present examples of what to expect during the union drive and election.
Describe five ways to lose an NLRB election.
Illustrate with examples bargaining that is not in good faith. ﴀ© 2005 Prentice Hall Inc. All rights reserved. 15–2
Why Do Workers Organize?:
Why Do Workers Organize? Solidarity
To get their fair share of the pie.
Improved wages, hours, working conditions, and benefits
To protect themselves from management whims.
Conditions favoring employee organization
Low morale
Fear of job loss
Arbitrary management actions
Voice/Grievances
The Labor Movement:
The Labor Movement 1790–Skilled craftsmen organize into trade unions.
1869–The Knights of Labor seek social reform.
1886–American Federation of Labor pursues bread- and-butter and improved working conditions.
1935–National Labor Relations Act fosters organizing and the rapid growth of labor unions.
1947–Taft-Hartley Act regulates union activities.
1955–AFL and CIO merge.
1970s–Union membership peaks and begins to steadily decline.
Unions and the Law: Period of Strong Encouragement:
Unions and the Law: Period of Strong Encouragement The Norris-LaGuardia Act of 1932
Guaranteed to each employee the right to bargain collectively “free from interference, restraint, or coercion.
Declared yellow dog contracts unenforceable.
Limited the courts’ abilities to issue injunctions (stop orders) for activities such as peaceful picketing and payment of strike benefits.