4/20: MNGT 427: Labor Unions

Definition of Collective Action: Collective action refers to the activities undertaken by a group of individuals to achieve common goals, especially concerning labor and working conditions.
Definition of Collective Work: Collective work involves individuals working together in a cooperative manner towards shared objectives, often related to labor rights and organizing.

Overview: The NLRA, also known as the Wagner Act, is the foundational piece of labor legislation in the United States.
Historical Context:
  - Passed in 1935 amidst a backdrop of intense labor struggles in the early 20th century.
  - The early 1900s were characterized by low wages and dangerous working conditions, leading to ineffective organization of workers and suppression of labor activities by employers.
  - Employers often employed private securities and strike breakers to thwart labor organization efforts.
Impact of the Great Depression:
- During the Great Depression, economic hardships led to wage cuts, sparking wildcat strikes, which were unauthorized strikes by labor groups.

Background:
- The Bread and Roses strike occurred in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and involved textile workers amid reduced maximum work hours for women and children.
- Wage reductions from $8.76 to $8.44 per week left workers in dire conditions.
Strike Events:
  - Initial action saw 10,000 workers marching and protesting for better wages under frigid conditions.
  - The strikers emphasized dignity with the slogan, "We want bread and roses too."
  - Violence erupted when police and state militia clashed with strikers, resulting in deaths and severe injuries.
Public Response:
- The strike gained national media attention due to its diverse ethnic composition and grassroots support from community resources like soup kitchens.
Government Intervention:
- Shocking testimonies (e.g., Carmelo Thioli, aged 14) revealing horrendous conditions led to significant legislative discussions about labor rights.
Outcome:
- The strike concluded with mill owners agreeing to a 50% wage increase, increased overtime pay, and a commitment not to retaliate against strikers, marking a pivotal moment in labor history.

Coverage:
  - Most private sector employees in the U.S. are covered by the NLRA.
  - Exemptions:
    - Public sector employees (governed by specific state labor laws)
    - Agricultural workers and domestic workers
    - Supervisors and managers (cannot be in the same union as workers)
    - Most railway and airline workers (covered by the Railway Labor Act).
Key Sections of NLRA:
  - Section 7:
    - Guarantees workers the right to organize, join labor unions, and bargain collectively over their employment terms.
  - Section 8:
    - Defines unfair labor practices:
      - Interfering with union formation activities.
      - Dominating or interfering with union affairs.
      - Retaliating against workers for organizing.
      - Refusing to bargain in good faith with certified unions.