Chapter 20: Organized Labor

REFERENCES.

*_Adams_ and _Sumner_, chs. VI, VII.

_Barnett, G. E._, National and district systems of collective
bargaining in the United States. Q. J. E., 26: 425-443. 1911-1912.

_Barnett, G. E._, The dominance of the national union in American
labor organization. Ibid., 27: 455-481. 1912-1913.

_Carlton, F. T._, The history and problems of organized labor. 1911.

_Commons_, chs. II, VI.

*_Commons_ and _Andrews_, Ch. III, sec. 1.

_Groat, G. G._, An introduction to the study of organized labor in
America. 1916.

_Hoxie, R. F._, Scientific management and labor. 1915.

_Hoxie, R. F._, The truth about the I. W. W. J. P. E., 21: 785-797.
1913.

_Hoxie, R. F._, Trade unionism in the United States: general
character and types; the interpretation of union types. J. P. E.,
22: 201-217, 464-481. 1914.

_Lewis, H. T._, The economic basis of the fight for the closed shop.
J. P. E., 20: 928-952. 1912.

_McCabe, D. A._, The standard rate in American trade unions. 1912.

_Mitchell, John_, Organized labor. 1902.

*_Source Book_, 214-227 (extract from McCabe).

_Webb, Sidney and Beatrice_, Industrial democracy. 1897.

_Wolman, L._, The boycott in American trade unions. 1916.

QUESTIONS.

1. Are the opportunities for workmen to rise to the rank of masters as
great as formerly?

2. What are the chief causes of the origin and rise of trade unions?
Distinguish between a trade union and a labor union.

3. What are the conditions favorable to national agreements between
trade unions and employers' associations? Explain clearly the bearing
of each of these conditions.

4. Describe the practices included under the term "direct action," and
contrast with the methods of collective bargaining and legislation.

5. Are strikes becoming more or less frequent and important in your
state? In answer to this question give figures from 1881 on if
obtainable, showing number of strikes; establishments affected and to
what extent; loss in wages and to employers. Diagram the figures.
Ref., U. S. Bu. of Labor, Annual report, 1906.

6. Do trade unions increase or decrease the number of strikes?

7. If you were an officer of a trade-union, would you begin a strike
when trade was good or when it was poor?

8. Does it make any difference in the permanence of an increase of
wages brought about by a strike, whether the employer is one of the
more successful or one of the less successful in that business?

9. Give examples of the different kinds of boycott. What seems to be
the attitude of the federal courts as to the lawfulness of boycotts?

10. Is there any similarity between the methods of trade unions and
the etiquette of the medical and the legal professions?

11. Some trade unions limit the number of apprentices in their trades.
Is this a justifiable policy on their part?

12. Of the methods employed by trade unions to raise the wages of
their members, which are prejudicial and which are not prejudicial to
the interests of the rest of the community, including non-union labor?
Give reasons.

13. Can wages be affected by the "collective bargaining" of trade
unions and if so indicate in that connection a justification (if one
exists) for trade union organization.

14. If a trade union sets a minimum rate of wages lower than the
competitive market rate would be in the absence of organization, which
rate would the members receive? State the facts from the Source Book
which lead you to your answer.

15. Have trade unions raised or lowered the wages of non-union labor?

16. What is the attitude of American trade unions toward efficiency
systems as attempts to introduce improved methods of production (not
systems of payment)?