Why Unions MatterWhy Unions Matter proves with irrefutable statistics and persuasive analysis that unionized workers in every part of the economy get more pay and better benefits than employees who do comparable work but do not belong to a union. Yet economic gains and job security are just the starting point for this informative book. It is just as significant, argues Michael Yates, that unions inspire power, solidarity, and dignity in workers, with great consequences for their lives. Why Unions Matter does not, however, make excuses for existing trade unions. Faced with a decades-long loss of membership, the union movement urgently needs new approaches, argues Yates. Providing sound practical advice on many topics, including what makes a collective bargaining campaign effective and what approach unions should take in electoral politics, Yates calls for a more independent, tough-minded, democratic, and politically progressive labor movement. |
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AFL-CIO African Americans arbitration bargaining unit began black workers boycotts Bureau of National central labor councils CIO unions civil rights clauses collective bargaining agreements Communist contract campaign corporate craft unions democracy Democratic Party direct actions economic election employer employment example federal fight gay and lesbian hire Industrial Jim West Kate Bronfenbrenner labor force labor laws labor movement labor party labor politics Labor Relations labor unions leadership left-wing ment NAFTA National Affairs national union negotiate NLRA NLRB no-strike nonunion officers organized labor percent picket plant policies race racial racism radical rank-and-file right-to-work seniority skilled social solidarity South End Press strike struggles tactics Teamsters Tom Juravich U.S. labor Union Democracy union density union members union membership union organizing United Auto Workers vote Washington white workers women workplace Yates York