Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a significant consequence of declining union density?
What is a significant consequence of declining union density?
Which sector is characterized by a focus on profit compared to access to the government?
Which sector is characterized by a focus on profit compared to access to the government?
What impact do unions have on political elections?
What impact do unions have on political elections?
What challenge do public sector workers face compared to those in the private sector?
What challenge do public sector workers face compared to those in the private sector?
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What effect did Trump’s victory in 2016 have on unions?
What effect did Trump’s victory in 2016 have on unions?
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How do shrinking middle class and union density affect workers?
How do shrinking middle class and union density affect workers?
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What happens if unions are unable to collect dues from their members?
What happens if unions are unable to collect dues from their members?
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What term does Lawson use to describe the US economic system that continues exploitation and disparities?
What term does Lawson use to describe the US economic system that continues exploitation and disparities?
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Which program has led to an increase in deportations through collaboration between ICE and local police?
Which program has led to an increase in deportations through collaboration between ICE and local police?
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Which moment does Lawson identify as a key turning point in linking the civil rights movement with labor struggles?
Which moment does Lawson identify as a key turning point in linking the civil rights movement with labor struggles?
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What is the primary purpose of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)?
What is the primary purpose of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)?
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Which group is under threat of deportation due to mixed immigration status?
Which group is under threat of deportation due to mixed immigration status?
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What initial action was taken to improve job opportunities for undocumented students?
What initial action was taken to improve job opportunities for undocumented students?
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What was a key outcome of the UC regions' voting initiative regarding employment for students?
What was a key outcome of the UC regions' voting initiative regarding employment for students?
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What was the primary focus of the nonviolence workshops led by Rev. James Lawson Jr.?
What was the primary focus of the nonviolence workshops led by Rev. James Lawson Jr.?
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Which campaign exemplifies direct action as described in the four steps of a nonviolence campaign?
Which campaign exemplifies direct action as described in the four steps of a nonviolence campaign?
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What was a significant challenge faced by the initiative for hiring undocumented students at UC?
What was a significant challenge faced by the initiative for hiring undocumented students at UC?
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What is the purpose of the 'Follow Up' step in a nonviolence campaign?
What is the purpose of the 'Follow Up' step in a nonviolence campaign?
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What influential figure did Rev. James Lawson Jr. become friends with during his activism?
What influential figure did Rev. James Lawson Jr. become friends with during his activism?
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Which of the following statements best captures the essence of the negotiation step in a nonviolence campaign?
Which of the following statements best captures the essence of the negotiation step in a nonviolence campaign?
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What historical event was NOT a focus of the direct action examples presented?
What historical event was NOT a focus of the direct action examples presented?
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Why did Gavin Newsom's actions resonate negatively with student activists?
Why did Gavin Newsom's actions resonate negatively with student activists?
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What was the primary purpose of the grape boycott initiated by the UFW in the late 1960s?
What was the primary purpose of the grape boycott initiated by the UFW in the late 1960s?
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Which notable figure joined Cesar Chavez during the Fast for Justice?
Which notable figure joined Cesar Chavez during the Fast for Justice?
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What was one significant outcome of the UFW grape boycott by 1970?
What was one significant outcome of the UFW grape boycott by 1970?
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What event led to Cesar Chavez’s arrest in 1960?
What event led to Cesar Chavez’s arrest in 1960?
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During which years did the expansion of the grape boycott occur?
During which years did the expansion of the grape boycott occur?
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What strategic action did the UFW take in response to the Giumarra vineyard corporation's situation?
What strategic action did the UFW take in response to the Giumarra vineyard corporation's situation?
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What was the result of lettuce and vegetable growers signing contracts with the Teamsters Union in 1970?
What was the result of lettuce and vegetable growers signing contracts with the Teamsters Union in 1970?
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After moving from Delano, where did the UFW relocate its operations?
After moving from Delano, where did the UFW relocate its operations?
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Which group supported Cesar Chavez during his time in jail?
Which group supported Cesar Chavez during his time in jail?
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What was the role of student boycott organizing committees during the grape boycott?
What was the role of student boycott organizing committees during the grape boycott?
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Which midwest states were critical in the labor movement leading to Biden's victory?
Which midwest states were critical in the labor movement leading to Biden's victory?
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What was significant about the vote of white union households in the recent elections?
What was significant about the vote of white union households in the recent elections?
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Which campaign has been influential in building immigrant worker power in Los Angeles?
Which campaign has been influential in building immigrant worker power in Los Angeles?
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What was a major outcome of the UAW strike in 2022 at UC?
What was a major outcome of the UAW strike in 2022 at UC?
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What was the primary aim of recruiting over 200 students for Labor Summer in 2023 and 2024?
What was the primary aim of recruiting over 200 students for Labor Summer in 2023 and 2024?
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How has the UC system prioritized interests regarding labor?
How has the UC system prioritized interests regarding labor?
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What notable financial commitment did the UCLA Labor Center make in 2021?
What notable financial commitment did the UCLA Labor Center make in 2021?
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What does the Dream Summer initiative primarily focus on?
What does the Dream Summer initiative primarily focus on?
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What role did Rev. Lawson play in the Los Angeles community after moving there?
What role did Rev. Lawson play in the Los Angeles community after moving there?
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Study Notes
History of the US Labor Movement
- Positive sentiment toward unions is high due to decreased economic insecurity.
- The pandemic increased economic and racial inequality, with organizations profiting.
- Union organizing is rising across sectors (e.g., Amazon, Starbucks).
- 2023 saw a "Hot Labor Summer" in LA, impacting various worker groups (e.g., hotel workers, writers).
- Strikes are effective in achieving wage increases.
- Young people and workers of color are driving a new wave of union organizing.
Union Trends
- Unions have declined since the 1960s, shrinking from 35% to 11% of the workforce.
- The US economy shifted from manufacturing to service-based industries.
- Low-wage service jobs are prevalent.
- Government policies have undermined workplace rights.
- Corporate pressure demands more workplace flexibility and power.
- Today, public-sector unionism is 33%, while private-sector unionism is 6%.
- Public-sector unions are connected to government, while private-sector unions focus on profits.
- Recent strikes and organizing efforts aim to reverse decades of decline.
Declining Union Density
- Shrinking middle class, reduced worker protections, and increased low-wage jobs.
- The prevalence of non-union jobs in the private sector impacts benefits (e.g., health care, vacation).
- Unions have a direct effect on election outcomes through voter participation and financial contributions.
- Unions losing members leads to diminished resources; this further weakens worker rights and standards, particularly within the public sector.
Labor Roles
- Labor played a critical role in 3 Midwestern states' 2020 election (Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin).
- Labor and communities of color were crucial to Biden's victory in 2020, including in Arizona and Georgia.
- White union households voted for Biden at a higher rate than white non-union households.
Lessons from the California Labor Movement
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Innovative organizing campaigns (e.g., fight for racial justice, political mobilization, and partnerships with community allies).
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Mobilizing young workers.
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Building immigrant worker power.
Worker Organizing Victories
- Hotel workers, janitors, and home care workers achieved victories.
Labor and UC's
- UC has many unions (e.g., American Federation of Teachers, United Auto Workers, etc.).
- The 2022 UAW strike was the largest and longest in higher education history, resulting in significant wage and benefit increases.
- The UC has prioritized corporate/business interests over union rights and worker interests.
School to Movement Pipeline
- Numerous students from across UC campuses participated in Labor Summer 2023 and 2024, focused on union organizing.
Collective Bargaining
- US labor relations are a tripartite system (management, labor, government).
- The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 assures workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively.
- Collective bargaining is fundamental to labor-management relations.
- Bad-faith bargaining (surface bargaining, refusal to meet, unilateral action) is illegal.
- Most bargaining sessions result in contracts within a 95% range.
Mutual (Common) Interests vs Exclusive (Opposite) Interests
- What are the mutual interests of labor and management?
- What are the exclusive interests of labor and management?
- Factors that support/inhibit successful collective bargaining.
- Mutual interests: Maintaining trust, good public relationships
- Exclusive interests: market expansion, private schools' regulations, wages & benefits.
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Description
Explore the evolution of the US labor movement, including the recent rise of union organizing among young workers and marginalized groups. Learn about the impact of economic changes and the challenges faced by unions since the 1960s, including shifts in workforce dynamics and government policies. This quiz will cover key events and trends that have shaped labor rights in the US.
