Pros & Cons Local, National, International Unions

[OrganizingAdvocate]

[color=blue:2eee44a4e3]In response to the question, below, which was asked within our, 'Ask The Expert' section of the site, I determined this forum may be best suited for the answer. There is a somewhat lengthy amount of information to be provided and I would like to open this question up for debate and/or comment.[/color:2eee44a4e3]


"What are the pros and cons of the current organized labor structure (local, national, international)?

And what changes, if any, do you see coming in the near future?

Thanks, Matt"


[color=blue:2eee44a4e3]Hi Matt,

There are pros and cons to each and I'll provide a few examples of each;

Independant, Local unions have the benefit of having 100% of the money collected in dues remaining within the local union and available to that union's elected/appointed leadership for the expendatures of the local. This may keep the costs of dues to a minimum. Local unions also have complete control over their By-Laws and Constitution which leaves the local membership with complete autonomy when it comes to how the local will be governed. Some of the cons to this scenario are similiar to the pros such as the membership is completely autonomous, even during contract negotiations and in regards to enforcement of the contract. The local would not necessarily have access to financial resources should it need that assistance as well as access to the deep knowledge base which can typically be held within a larger organization such as a National, International or the AFL-CIO and Change To Win.

National unions have the benefit of a more diverse, knowledgable base of people within it who the local unions are able to access when helpful. Member, local unions also have greater financial backing as well as a network of affiliates which they may coordinate with for collective bargaining purposes. One of the drawbacks, however, may be the 'price' of these benefits are paid through a portion of each member's dues. Also, the local union would now need to agree to be governed by certain By-Laws and Constitution of the National.[/color:2eee44a4e3]

[OrganizingAdvocate]

[color=blue:8cd73b555c]In response to your inquiry of what changes I forsee within the near future, it is my belief that, although the long time decline of the percentage of national labor union membership paused last year to hold at 12.5%, the decline will resume for the immediate future. However, some of the major changes we've already seen such as the withdrawl of seven unions from the AFL-CIO and their formation of the Change to Win Coalition will be driving factors in the revitalization of the American labor movement which will eventually gain more momentum within the upcomming years as people face more and more of the effects of low union membership causing more weakening of labor laws and enforcement as well as the continued decline of the middle class and stagnation of employee wages as CEO pays sontinue their ascend.

Thank you, Matt, for the opportunity to address your question. If we may be of greater assistance in regards to this, or another issue, please contact us again.

Fraternally,

Dustin
OrganizingAdvocate
Unions.org[/color:8cd73b555c]