Important Terms-Strikes and Unions

Collective bargaining

People organize into a group and select leaders who meet with a management to review working conditions, wages, benefits, etc.

Strike

Workers walk off job until their demands are met

Boycott

Refusal to buy certain goods or shop in certain stores

Arbitration

labor and management agree in advance to term set by the third-party

Mediation

It is when a third-party tries to negotiate between labor and management and suggest terms they might agree on

lockdown

Employer closes factory and doesn’t allow workers to enter because of the potential for violence by strikers

scabs

(Aka strike breakers) they are workers who crossed the picket line to take the striking workers jobs

Pinkerton’s

a private security agency whose purpose was to stop strikers from damaging company property

Blacklisted

Your name is put on a list and share with other employers, which meant that nobody would hire you

“ yellow dog” contract

Potential employees had to sign an agreement before they were hired stating that they promised not to join the union if they did join they were fired and these contracts are illegal today.

Closed shop

This was legal until 1941 and it stated that if you were hired by a company that had a labor union, you were required to become a member.

Open shop

Today, if you are hired by a company that has a union you may choose to join, but not required

Workers compensation

If you are injured on the job, you can receive a payment for time off work and your medical bills will be covered