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A '''trade union''' is an organization of workers created to improve working conditions. Unions are often targeted and suppressed by [[Capitalism|capitalists]] in order to increase [[Profit|profits]] at the expense of the workers. | <blockquote>''"Union" redirects here. For other uses, see'' ''[[Union (disambiguation)]]''.</blockquote>A '''trade union''' is an organization of [[Proletariat|workers]] created to improve working conditions. Unions are often targeted and suppressed by [[Capitalism|capitalists]] in order to increase [[Profit|profits]] at the expense of the workers. | ||
== Types == | |||
=== Business unionism === | |||
Business unionism restricts union struggles to improving [[Wage|wages]] and benefits and restricts power to the union management instead of the masses of workers.<ref name=":1">{{Web citation|author=Katsfoter|newspaper=[[Red Clarion]]|title=Undead Unionism|date=2023-08-13|url=https://clarion.unity-struggle-unity.org/2023-08-13-undead-unionism/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521001822/https://clarion.unity-struggle-unity.org/2023-08-13-undead-unionism/|archive-date=2024-05-21}}</ref> | |||
=== Craft unionism === | |||
Craft unionism divides workers based on trade, leading workers in the same business to be in separate unions.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
=== Industrial unionism === | |||
Industrial unionism seeks to unite all workers in an industry into one union.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
== Common issues == | |||
=== Settler colonialism === | |||
In [[Settler colonialism|settler-colonial]] countries, much of the [[White people|white]]-controlled labor movement takes a [[Chauvinism|chauvinist]] stance and sides with the white bourgeoisie against indigenous peoples. For example, in [[Republic of South Africa|South Africa]], white workers led a strike in the 1920s with the slogan, "Workers of the world unite and fight for a [[Apartheid|white]] South Africa!".<ref name=":02">{{Web citation|author=Bill Fletcher Jr.|newspaper=[[Monthly Review]]|title=Race Is About More Than Discrimination|date=2020-07-01|url=https://monthlyreview.org/2020/07/01/race-is-about-more-than-discrimination/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323205358/https://monthlyreview.org/2020/07/01/race-is-about-more-than-discrimination/|archive-date=2023-03-23}}</ref> | |||
== By country == | == By country == | ||
=== United Kingdom === | === United Kingdom === | ||
Several rudimentary political unions were formed in the 1830s and 1840s, with noteworthy causes including the [[Merthyr Rising]] and the [[Tolpuddle Martyrs]]. However, one of the first proper trade | Several rudimentary political unions were formed in the 1830s and 1840s, with noteworthy causes including the [[Merthyr Rising]] and the [[Tolpuddle Martyrs]]. However, one of the first proper trade unions to be established was the [[Amalgamated Society of Engineers]] in 1851. The formation of several similar "amalgamated" unions representing different industries followed.<ref>{{News citation|author=Workers Party of Britain|newspaper=YouTube|title=Trade Unionism in Britain – Past, Present, ...Future?|date=2022-04-22|url=https://youtu.be/kZRH5dY9UN4}}</ref> Trade union activity peaked in the 1970s, culminating in the 1984 miners' strike, and has since witnessed a decline in membership from a peak of 13.2 million in 1979 to 6.6 million in 2019.<ref>{{Citation|author=Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy|year=2021|title=Trade union statistics 2020|title-url=https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/trade-union-statistics-2020}}</ref> Historically, the relationship of Britain's trade unions to the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] has been a key point of contention, and while the biggest trade unions remain affiliated to the party, in 2022 some of most militant unions either remained unaffiliated or were considering disaffiliation.<ref>{{News citation|author=Mason Boycott-Owen|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|title=Keir Starmer is not on the side of workers, says RMT chief|date=2022-05-29|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/05/29/rail-unions-consider-leaving-labour-behind-keir-starmer-not/}}</ref> | ||
=== United States === | === United States === | ||
The first nationwide union in the [[United States of America|United States]] was the [[Knights of Labor]], which was later replaced by the [[American Federation of Labor]]. Many unions were targeted by the [[Pinkerton National Detective Agency|Pinkerton detective agency]].<ref name=":0">{{News citation|author=Colin Hanner|newspaper=Unit|title=A brief history of union-busting|date=2021-05-14|url=https://guide.unitworkers.com/a-brief-history-of-union-busting/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620150631/https://guide.unitworkers.com/a-brief-history-of-union-busting/|archive-date=2021-06-20|retrieved=2022-06-01}}</ref> In 1983, 16.2% of private sector workers were unionized; by 2020, the percentage had decreased to 6.3%, even though 65% of people support unionization.<ref>{{News citation|author=Megan Brenan|newspaper=Gallup|title=At 65%, Approval of Labor Unions in U.S. Remains High|date=2020-09-03|url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/318980/approval-labor-unions-remains-high.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514192933/https://news.gallup.com/poll/318980/approval-labor-unions-remains-high.aspx|archive-date=2022-05-14|retrieved=2022-06-01}}</ref> Many companies, including [[Amazon | The first nationwide union in the [[United States of America|United States]] was the [[Knights of Labor]], which was later replaced by the [[American Federation of Labor]]. Many unions were targeted by the [[Pinkerton National Detective Agency|Pinkerton detective agency]].<ref name=":0">{{News citation|author=Colin Hanner|newspaper=Unit|title=A brief history of union-busting|date=2021-05-14|url=https://guide.unitworkers.com/a-brief-history-of-union-busting/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620150631/https://guide.unitworkers.com/a-brief-history-of-union-busting/|archive-date=2021-06-20|retrieved=2022-06-01}}</ref> The [[Industrial Workers of the World|IWW]] became the first union to include workers of all races.<ref name=":02" /> In 1983, 16.2% of private sector workers were unionized; by 2020, the percentage had decreased to 6.3%, even though 65% of people support unionization.<ref>{{News citation|author=Megan Brenan|newspaper=Gallup|title=At 65%, Approval of Labor Unions in U.S. Remains High|date=2020-09-03|url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/318980/approval-labor-unions-remains-high.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514192933/https://news.gallup.com/poll/318980/approval-labor-unions-remains-high.aspx|archive-date=2022-05-14|retrieved=2022-06-01}}</ref> Many companies, including [[Amazon.com, Inc.|Amazon]], [[Google]], [[Nissan]], [[Tesla]], [[Trader Joe's]], and [[Walmart]] have taken a side against unions.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Latest revision as of 18:33, 30 May 2024
"Union" redirects here. For other uses, see Union (disambiguation).
A trade union is an organization of workers created to improve working conditions. Unions are often targeted and suppressed by capitalists in order to increase profits at the expense of the workers.
Types
Business unionism
Business unionism restricts union struggles to improving wages and benefits and restricts power to the union management instead of the masses of workers.[1]
Craft unionism
Craft unionism divides workers based on trade, leading workers in the same business to be in separate unions.[1]
Industrial unionism
Industrial unionism seeks to unite all workers in an industry into one union.[1]
Common issues
Settler colonialism
In settler-colonial countries, much of the white-controlled labor movement takes a chauvinist stance and sides with the white bourgeoisie against indigenous peoples. For example, in South Africa, white workers led a strike in the 1920s with the slogan, "Workers of the world unite and fight for a white South Africa!".[2]
By country
United Kingdom
Several rudimentary political unions were formed in the 1830s and 1840s, with noteworthy causes including the Merthyr Rising and the Tolpuddle Martyrs. However, one of the first proper trade unions to be established was the Amalgamated Society of Engineers in 1851. The formation of several similar "amalgamated" unions representing different industries followed.[3] Trade union activity peaked in the 1970s, culminating in the 1984 miners' strike, and has since witnessed a decline in membership from a peak of 13.2 million in 1979 to 6.6 million in 2019.[4] Historically, the relationship of Britain's trade unions to the Labour Party has been a key point of contention, and while the biggest trade unions remain affiliated to the party, in 2022 some of most militant unions either remained unaffiliated or were considering disaffiliation.[5]
United States
The first nationwide union in the United States was the Knights of Labor, which was later replaced by the American Federation of Labor. Many unions were targeted by the Pinkerton detective agency.[6] The IWW became the first union to include workers of all races.[2] In 1983, 16.2% of private sector workers were unionized; by 2020, the percentage had decreased to 6.3%, even though 65% of people support unionization.[7] Many companies, including Amazon, Google, Nissan, Tesla, Trader Joe's, and Walmart have taken a side against unions.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Katsfoter (2023-08-13). "Undead Unionism" Red Clarion. Archived from the original on 2024-05-21.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bill Fletcher Jr. (2020-07-01). "Race Is About More Than Discrimination" Monthly Review. Archived from the original on 2023-03-23.
- ↑ Workers Party of Britain (2022-04-22). "Trade Unionism in Britain – Past, Present, ...Future?" YouTube.
- ↑ Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (2021). Trade union statistics 2020.
- ↑ Mason Boycott-Owen (2022-05-29). "Keir Starmer is not on the side of workers, says RMT chief" The Daily Telegraph.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Colin Hanner (2021-05-14). "A brief history of union-busting" Unit. Archived from the original on 2021-06-20. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
- ↑ Megan Brenan (2020-09-03). "At 65%, Approval of Labor Unions in U.S. Remains High" Gallup. Archived from the original on 2022-05-14. Retrieved 2022-06-01.