trade unions 1980s greatest period of change Flashcards
Union rights agree 1
Reagan’s reaction to the PATCO strike in 1981 caused detrimental effects on the number of workers in unions. By 1992, membership of industrial unions in the US had fallen dramatically from 27% in
1970 to 12% by 1990. Major stoppages resulting from strikes was 187 by 1980 and fell to 31 between 1980 and 1995
union rights agree. 2
NLRB appointees tended to be supportive of Reagan’s economic policies and therefore unsupportive of union rights. Workers therefore found it difficult to challenge unfair labor practices through the NLRB during the Reagan years. This shows 1980s were indeed a period of regressive progress for union rights.
union rights disagree 1
1930s can also be seen as a significant period for change.
Wagner Act 1935 which facilitated the expansion of union membership from 3.7 million in 1933 to 9 million in 1938. Also led to big industries started to recognize the Auto workers and Steel unions. Right ot join was enshrined in law and still stands today
Union rights disagree 2
1970s also saw change as there was an increase in the number of public sector workers joining unions and engaging in collective action
1962 Executive Order of JFK allowing federal employees to join unions
inflation of 1970s – both were factors leading to postal workers, teachers and
municipal employees unionising and taking action – with considerable success. So
could argue that although blue collar, industrial unions declined in strength in 1970s,
public sector unions increased and became more effective – hence a period of
positive change for some – albeit white collar – workers.
Labor rights agree 1
1980s period of change for the worse: cuts in welfare by Reagan due to his
conservative economic policy; also real wages declined and unemployment soared: it
exceeded 10% throughout 1982: more Americans were jobless than at any time since the Great Depression. This figure did decline as economy began to grow but
poorest one-fifth endured an income decline of 24%
labor rights disagree 1
The new deal ear saw significant improvement in labor rights as prior to the 1930s the FG often struck down any legislation which improved workers rights. For example Lochner vs New York 1905 (10-hour day) and Adkins vs Children’s Hospital 1923
(minimum wage).
However now legilsation such as the Wagner Act 1935 had been passed which set up a 5 man NLRB that had the power to bargain on behalf of workers and reinstate unfairly fired workers.
Also, FLSA 1938 was a the government intervening on establishing better labor rights as they put a working hour ceiling and wage floor.
Labor rights disagree.2
This Democrat determination to intervene in the economy to help the poor was seen again in the 1960s. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 made wage discrimination on the basis of gender illegal and
established the principle of equal pay for equal work. By 1970, the earnings were equal to 62% of male earnings, rising to 80% in 2004.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. This benefited African Americans, Hispanics and other
ethnic groups who had faced discrimination in jobs and the workplace.
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1968 prohibited employment
discrimination in hiring and firing against persons of between 40 and 65 years old. As
well as covering hiring and firing, the Act covered promotions, wage levels and lay-
offs. It also became illegal to include a statement of age preferences in job notices
and advertisements and the denial of benefits to older employees.
