LABRST 2A03 Lecture Notes - Secret Ballot, Collective Bargaining, Deindustrialization
16 Oct 2013
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Document Summary
Union democracy and equity continued october 2/ 9, 2013. Take wages and working conditions out competition. Existence of oppositional forces: extent to which democratic rights are utilized. Leadership responsiveness: degree to which leadership reflect values and priorities of membership. Estimates of only 1-3% actively participate in their union. Low levels of member participation in mobilization efforts. Reflect member characteristics in union business: language, culture, union/life balance. Tolerance and support of all members: advocates, training, education. Union homogeneity: occupation, age, gender, ethnicity, higher the convergence and commonality of interests the greater potential for consensus. Defines democratic process and mechanisms for member participation. Policing and enforcement provisions to check and counteract abuses of power: secret ballot votes, constraints on autonomous leadership action, transparency, etc. Does it build internal capacity: leadership, activism, culture and solidarity, skills and knowledge to assume roles within union. Decrease opportunities for individual members to participate: too small. Union growth 1970s and beyond: organize the unorganized and mergers.
