Download This PaperThe Impact of Labor Unions on Worker Rights and on Other Social Movements
ABA Journal of Labor and Employment Law, Vol. 26, p. 267, 2011
20 Pages Posted: 24 Jun 2011 Last revised: 28 Jun 2011
Date Written: 2011
Abstract
Labor unions have been in existence for over two hundred years, initially as craft organizations, and more recently as industrial and service organizations. During their existence they have significantly enhanced the wages and fringe benefits of represented workers through the collective bargaining process, and indirectly affected the wages and benefits enjoyed by nonunion employees whose employers provided them with such benefits to preclude their unionization. Unions have also provided members with job security through just cause disciplinary limitations and grievance-arbitration procedures. Over the past sixty years, many social movements have employed union tactics to advance other critical issues such as the end of the Vietnam Conflict, the end of racial segregation, the enhancement of the environment, and the rights of tenants.
Keywords: impact of labor unions, advancing employee rights, impact on social movements, anti-war tactics, civil rights activities, environment advancement, tenant rights movement
JEL Classification: J51; J71; K31
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Charles B. Craver (Contact Author)
George Washington University - Law School ( email )
2000 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20052
United States