{"id":95,"date":"2019-07-01T21:30:28","date_gmt":"2019-07-01T21:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-humanresourcesmgmt\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=95"},"modified":"2024-04-25T01:42:27","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T01:42:27","slug":"why-it-matters-union-management-relations","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-humanresourcesmgmt\/chapter\/why-it-matters-union-management-relations\/","title":{"raw":"Why It Matters: Union\u2013Management Relations","rendered":"Why It Matters: Union\u2013Management Relations"},"content":{"raw":"<h2>Why learn about unions and\u00a0union\u2013management relations?<\/h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_141\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"254\"]<img class=\"wp-image-141\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4056\/2019\/07\/09185650\/RobertFWagner.png\" alt=\"A circular portrait of Senator Robert F Wagner\" width=\"254\" height=\"254\" \/> Figure 1. Senator Robert Wagner[\/caption]\r\n\r\nWe are so accustomed to modern workplace conveniences and rights that it\u2019s difficult to conceive of it being any other way. However, as with all civil rights, these rights were fought for in the workplace, on the streets and in the courts and legislature.\r\n\r\nA key battle for workers rights to collective action was won in 1935, with the passage of the National Labor Relations Act, more commonly known as the Wagner Act. This act, characterized by Encyclopedia Britannica as \u201cthe most important piece of labour legislation enacted in the United States in the 20th century,\u201d[footnote]Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. \"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Wagner-Act\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wagner Act<\/a>.\" Encyclop\u00e6dia Britannica. April 27, 2018. Accessed July 09, 2019.[\/footnote] established the right of most private sector workers to organize, bargain collectively and strike.\r\n\r\nWhen\u00a0Senator Robert F. Wagner gave a speech introducing the Wagner Act he stated that it was \u201cbased on the long-cherished American belief that every worker should be a free man in fact as well as name, should be free to belong to any kind of union that he likes. My bill guarantees this economic freedom in the clearest terms.\u201d[footnote]Ibid.[\/footnote]\r\n<div class=\"textbox key-takeaways\">\r\n<h3>Learn MOre<\/h3>\r\nFor perspective, check out the following resources:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>All Things Interesting\u2019s gallery of historical photos: <a href=\"https:\/\/allthatsinteresting.com\/labor-unions-history\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">America\u2019s Battle for Fair Working Conditions<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.history.com\/topics\/19th-century\/labor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">History.com\u2019s summary of the Labor Movement<\/a> from the colonial period through the 19th century.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\nPrior to the legalization of labor unions, workplaces were often unsafe environments, with low pay, long hours and child labor common. Health care and pensions were generally non-existent. The 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, where 146 garment workers died locked in a New York City sweatshop, was a galvanizing experience for then New York State Senator Robert Wagner who, it was remarked, \u201cnever recovered\u201d from the investigations into the conditions of factory workers.[footnote]\"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.senate.gov\/artandhistory\/history\/minute\/Senator_Wagner_and_the_Triangle_Shirtwaist_Fire.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Senator Wagner and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire<\/a>.\" U.S. Senate. Accessed July 09, 2019.[\/footnote] In an article for <em>The New Republic<\/em>, contributing editor and author Kevin Baker notes the Triangle Fire is a reminder of why unions are essential, stating that: \u201cWhen we hear politicians today rail against the sins of organized labor, we should remember the Triangle factory fire. Perhaps no event in American history better illustrated the need for unions\u2014public as well as private\u2014and galvanized a generation of policymakers to protect laborers.\u201d[footnote]Baker, Kevin. \"<a href=\"https:\/\/newrepublic.com\/article\/121379\/triangle-factory-fire-reminds-us-why-unions-are-essential\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Never Forget the Triangle Factory Fire-It's Why We Have Unions<\/a>.\" The New Republic. March 26, 2015. Accessed July 09, 2019.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s worth noting that in some countries, abysmal workplace conditions still exist. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), approximately 2.3 million men and women die due to work-related accidents or diseases annually. Do the math: that\u2019s over 6,000 deaths per day. The number of non-fatal incidents is also staggering, with ILO reporting 340 million occupational accidents and 160 million victims of work-related illnesses annually.[footnote]\"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/moscow\/areas-of-work\/occupational-safety-and-health\/WCMS_249278\/lang--en\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">World Statistic<\/a>.\" International Labour Organization. 2019. Accessed July 09, 2019.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nAlthough organized labor and management are generally portrayed as opponents and dynamics between the two groups tend to reflect this mindset, a union can benefit not only members but the organization and society. As with any institution, there can also be negative impacts on stakeholder groups. In this module, we will explore the union promise and unionization process, laws that govern union-management relations, union trends and the implications of recent developments.","rendered":"<h2>Why learn about unions and\u00a0union\u2013management relations?<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_141\" style=\"width: 264px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141\" class=\"wp-image-141\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4056\/2019\/07\/09185650\/RobertFWagner.png\" alt=\"A circular portrait of Senator Robert F Wagner\" width=\"254\" height=\"254\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-141\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1. Senator Robert Wagner<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>We are so accustomed to modern workplace conveniences and rights that it\u2019s difficult to conceive of it being any other way. However, as with all civil rights, these rights were fought for in the workplace, on the streets and in the courts and legislature.<\/p>\n<p>A key battle for workers rights to collective action was won in 1935, with the passage of the National Labor Relations Act, more commonly known as the Wagner Act. This act, characterized by Encyclopedia Britannica as \u201cthe most important piece of labour legislation enacted in the United States in the 20th century,\u201d<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. &quot;Wagner Act.&quot; Encyclop\u00e6dia Britannica. April 27, 2018. Accessed July 09, 2019.\" id=\"return-footnote-95-1\" href=\"#footnote-95-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a> established the right of most private sector workers to organize, bargain collectively and strike.<\/p>\n<p>When\u00a0Senator Robert F. Wagner gave a speech introducing the Wagner Act he stated that it was \u201cbased on the long-cherished American belief that every worker should be a free man in fact as well as name, should be free to belong to any kind of union that he likes. My bill guarantees this economic freedom in the clearest terms.\u201d<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Ibid.\" id=\"return-footnote-95-2\" href=\"#footnote-95-2\" aria-label=\"Footnote 2\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox key-takeaways\">\n<h3>Learn MOre<\/h3>\n<p>For perspective, check out the following resources:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>All Things Interesting\u2019s gallery of historical photos: <a href=\"https:\/\/allthatsinteresting.com\/labor-unions-history\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">America\u2019s Battle for Fair Working Conditions<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.history.com\/topics\/19th-century\/labor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">History.com\u2019s summary of the Labor Movement<\/a> from the colonial period through the 19th century.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Prior to the legalization of labor unions, workplaces were often unsafe environments, with low pay, long hours and child labor common. Health care and pensions were generally non-existent. The 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, where 146 garment workers died locked in a New York City sweatshop, was a galvanizing experience for then New York State Senator Robert Wagner who, it was remarked, \u201cnever recovered\u201d from the investigations into the conditions of factory workers.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"&quot;Senator Wagner and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.&quot; U.S. Senate. Accessed July 09, 2019.\" id=\"return-footnote-95-3\" href=\"#footnote-95-3\" aria-label=\"Footnote 3\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[3]<\/sup><\/a> In an article for <em>The New Republic<\/em>, contributing editor and author Kevin Baker notes the Triangle Fire is a reminder of why unions are essential, stating that: \u201cWhen we hear politicians today rail against the sins of organized labor, we should remember the Triangle factory fire. Perhaps no event in American history better illustrated the need for unions\u2014public as well as private\u2014and galvanized a generation of policymakers to protect laborers.\u201d<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Baker, Kevin. &quot;Never Forget the Triangle Factory Fire-It's Why We Have Unions.&quot; The New Republic. March 26, 2015. Accessed July 09, 2019.\" id=\"return-footnote-95-4\" href=\"#footnote-95-4\" aria-label=\"Footnote 4\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[4]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s worth noting that in some countries, abysmal workplace conditions still exist. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), approximately 2.3 million men and women die due to work-related accidents or diseases annually. Do the math: that\u2019s over 6,000 deaths per day. The number of non-fatal incidents is also staggering, with ILO reporting 340 million occupational accidents and 160 million victims of work-related illnesses annually.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"&quot;World Statistic.&quot; International Labour Organization. 2019. Accessed July 09, 2019.\" id=\"return-footnote-95-5\" href=\"#footnote-95-5\" aria-label=\"Footnote 5\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[5]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Although organized labor and management are generally portrayed as opponents and dynamics between the two groups tend to reflect this mindset, a union can benefit not only members but the organization and society. As with any institution, there can also be negative impacts on stakeholder groups. In this module, we will explore the union promise and unionization process, laws that govern union-management relations, union trends and the implications of recent developments.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-95\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Why It Matters: Union-Management Relations. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Nina Burokas. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">Public domain content<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Robert F Wagner. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Steven Polson. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: U.S. Senate Art &amp; History. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Robert_F_Wagner.jpg\">https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Robert_F_Wagner.jpg<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/about\/pdm\">Public Domain: No Known Copyright<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section><hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-95-1\">Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. \"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Wagner-Act\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wagner Act<\/a>.\" Encyclop\u00e6dia Britannica. April 27, 2018. Accessed July 09, 2019. <a href=\"#return-footnote-95-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-95-2\">Ibid. <a href=\"#return-footnote-95-2\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 2\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-95-3\">\"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.senate.gov\/artandhistory\/history\/minute\/Senator_Wagner_and_the_Triangle_Shirtwaist_Fire.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Senator Wagner and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire<\/a>.\" U.S. Senate. Accessed July 09, 2019. <a href=\"#return-footnote-95-3\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 3\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-95-4\">Baker, Kevin. \"<a href=\"https:\/\/newrepublic.com\/article\/121379\/triangle-factory-fire-reminds-us-why-unions-are-essential\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Never Forget the Triangle Factory Fire-It's Why We Have Unions<\/a>.\" The New Republic. March 26, 2015. Accessed July 09, 2019. <a href=\"#return-footnote-95-4\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 4\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-95-5\">\"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/moscow\/areas-of-work\/occupational-safety-and-health\/WCMS_249278\/lang--en\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">World Statistic<\/a>.\" International Labour Organization. 2019. Accessed July 09, 2019. <a href=\"#return-footnote-95-5\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 5\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"author":17,"menu_order":1,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Why It Matters: Union-Management Relations\",\"author\":\"Nina Burokas\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"pd\",\"description\":\"Robert F Wagner\",\"author\":\"Steven Polson\",\"organization\":\"U.S. Senate Art & History\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Robert_F_Wagner.jpg\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"pd\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"f2679e98-13ac-4cdc-b0ca-06c110d4af6b","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-95","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":74,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-humanresourcesmgmt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/95","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-humanresourcesmgmt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-humanresourcesmgmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-humanresourcesmgmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-humanresourcesmgmt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/95\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2888,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-humanresourcesmgmt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/95\/revisions\/2888"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-humanresourcesmgmt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/74"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-humanresourcesmgmt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/95\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-humanresourcesmgmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-humanresourcesmgmt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=95"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-humanresourcesmgmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=95"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-humanresourcesmgmt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=95"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}