union labor

Why are labor unions important?

Strong unions are essential for our continued democracy. In fact, the Steelworkers Union notes that the United States Constitution was ratified in the "gathering hall of the Phildaelphia Guild of Carpenters".

However, labor unions can overbargain. For example, a series of airlines recently declared bankruptcy, including Delta, Northwest, United, and US Airways. Rising fuel costs, increased deregulation, burdensome federal taxes, poor strategic planning, and mismanagement all plagued major American carriers. However, bloated union contracts also prevented airlines from shifting and reorganizing without federal bankruptcy protection.

The real disaster for labor unions is that federal bankruptcy robs skilled and line workers from collective bargaining protections. Strong unions have fought hard to earn important benefits and leading salaries; however, overbargaining harms the long term success or viability of companies. In fact, bankruptcy reorganization plans often strip workers of fair compensation and benefits.

Labor unions are designed to protect work, workers, and workplaces. Effective labor unions are essential to our basic economy, and labor agreements should recognize that effective partnerships benefit both individuals and organizations.

What are you talking about?

There are two major categories of labor unions: craft unions and industrial unions.

Craft unions organize skilled workers, including carpenters, blacksmiths, or painters. Craft guilds organized the first local unions in the late 18th century. Oganized craft unions promotes skilled craftsman and certified craft standards to prevent unskilled craft and unfair wages.

Industrial unions represent workers across individual industries, including steelworkers, shipbuilders, or mineworkers.
Industry unions are vertical: they promote united organization for collective bargaining. A strong union advocates for improved working conditions and worker compensation, including salary and benefits.

Early industrial labor unions were largely unsuccessful. For example, the Pullman Palace Car Company unilaterally reduced wages for line workers in 1894. The American Railway Union (ARU) rejected the forced paycuts and led a dramatic employee strike across 27 states. Eugene Debs, President of ARU, was imprisoned for violation of the Sherman Anti-trust Act. However, the US Supreme Court rejected labor appeals and upheld the policy of the Pullman Car Company.

However, business exaggerated pressure on labor through the early 20th century and radicalized labor unions gained increasing grassroots support. Increased membership led to increased political influence. In 1932, labor unions helped organize important support for the election of Franklin Roosevelt. The Great Depression increased popular commitment and participation in industrial labor unions. This broad support led to dramatic reforms in the supervision and regulation of corporations.

For example, strong labor unions helped promote legislation including the National Labor Relations Act (1935) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (1938). Protective legislation stablished minimum standards for workers' protection, including health and safety of workplace. For example, the NLRA established maximum workweek hours, minimum wage standards, and prohibited child labor.

However, the American labor movement has suffered a significant decline. 1/3 of American workers were enrolled in certified unions in 1960. Yet, recent surveys estimate that labor participation decreased to 13% in 2003.

Who cares?

The Union of Federated Teachers recently completed a contract agreement with the New York City Board of Education. NYC public schoolteachers were working under an expired 2002 contract. The expired contract preserved basic agreeements; however, inflation was rapidly decreasing salary wages.

Today, there is serious disagreement within the Teachers' Union. The offered contract proposes 3% annual wage increases with immediate retroactive pay; however, it also extends the school day and adds additional responsibilities, including cafeteria or homeroom supervision. The UFT President argues that the union has fought for important core values against a stubborn administration. However, many rank and file teachers believe the proposed raise trails inflation and lowballs any increased requirements.

I believe that reforms or requirements that clearly support student learning make real sense. For example, remediation and small group tutoring for struggling students is important and effective. In fact, I currently lead volunteer after-school programs for students. Small group instruction is incredibly rewarding!

However, are we getting fair value?