Chapter 8

Question 1

When did labor unions really first start to form in U.S.

Answer 1

• with railroads
• european workers immigrating
• socialist views

Question 2

In the 1800s, how did employers fight worker’s union efforts?

Answer 2

• said worker’s unions were efforts to monopolize
• sherman anti-trust
• criminal charges against union members

Question 3

___ became president of the American Federation of Labor (AFA) that moved their views away from ___ to become more about wages, equal pay, worker’s rights

Answer 3

Samuel Gophers

Socialism –> equal pay

Question 4

Yellow Dog Contracts

Answer 4

• between employee and employer
• employee agrees not to join worker union
• in return for job

Question 5

How did the Great Depress affect workers unions?

Answer 5

• FDR’s New Deal
• people see need for worker’s unions
• passes Norris-La Guardia Act

Question 6

Norris-La Guardia Act?

Answer 6

• outlaws Yellow Dog Contracts
• made difficult for employers to prevent unions
• made difficult for emplyers to get injunction to send employees back to work
• did not specifically give employee right to unionize

Question 7

National Labor Relations Act?

Answer 7

Also called Wagner Act of 1935

• specifically legalizes unions
• encouraged Collective Bargaining between employer and employee
• defines employees and employers
• prevents employer interference with organization of unions
• set up National Labor Relations Board (court for violations)

Question 8

The National Labor Relations Act or Wagner Act is also reffered to as the ___

Answer 8

Magna Carta

Question 9

What kind of employees are excluded from the right to unionize under the NLRA?

Answer 9

• kids employed by parents
• state, local, federal (government people)
• supervisors
• railroad
• agriculture
• indepenant contractes

Question 10

Since railroad workers are not covered under the NLRA, what covers them instead?

Answer 10

Railroad Labor Act

-also covers airlines

Question 11

NLRB v. Washington Aluminum

Answer 11

• Washington ALuminum terminates contract with company
• termination of contract b/c of business activities
• workers had to be fired as result (they Sue)

-Supreme Court says Wahsington Aluminum Co. not guilty b/c it was just business

Question 12

Election process of people on National Labor Relations Board?

Answer 12

• appointed by President

- confirmed by Senate

Question 13

If you appeal your case with the National Labor Relations Board? Where does your case go?

Answer 13

Federal District Court of Appeals

Question 14

Good Faith Collective Bargaining?

Answer 14

• required by NLRA
• between employee/employer
• must be honest in negotiations

-DOES say they must reach Agreement

• sometimes employees Surface Level Bargain
• act like they are trying to reach agreement but aren’t really

Question 15

How to get Union Representation

Answer 15

• 30% employees first sign authorization cards
• prompts election between employees
• secret election
• 50% +1 must vote for union representation to get represented
• if majority vote in favor, then ALL employees get Union Representation

Question 16

Explain the Collective Bargaining process

Answer 16

-usually takes 3 years

• employees talk to supervisor and explain griviences
• 3rd party comes in to oversee

-employees agree not strike during Collective Bargaining process in exchange to tell supervisors their griviences

-employers can only fire people for
“just cause” reasons
-not b/c of union stuff

Question 17

NLRB v. MacKay Radio and Telegraph?

Answer 17

• NFL referees go on strike
• replacement referees hired (scabs)
• scabs made bad calls in superbowl
• NFL agrees to comply with Union Demands

Question 18

Taft-Hartley Act?

Answer 18

• cut back union power (made equal)
• states get to choose if they are “right-to-work states or non-right-to work states”
• employers could now express they don’t like unions (but can’t say they will fire you for joining one still)

Question 19

Explain Right-to-Work

Answer 19

• when 50%+1 employees vote for union representation
• if you voted no, you don’t have to join the union
• BUT still will be represented and enjoy benefits from the Worker Union anyway (freerider problem)

*before Taft-Hartley and under Wagner, if you voted no and majority voted yes….. then you had to join and pay the union

Question 20

Landrum-Griffin Act

Answer 20

• regulated financial affairs with Unions more STRONGLY
• regulated election of officers in union
• b/c unions were becoming corrupt
• were being funded by mafia

Question 21

Recent Legislation on government workers right to Unionize

Answer 21

-has started to allow “non-essential” gov. workers to unionize

EX: librarians, custodians, etc.