Unions: Making Markets Work
Lots of labor news today. The Copley News Service reports that the gocery chain Ralphs broke a strike by surreptitiously rehiring locked out workers. That happens to be illegal.
In New York the Transit Worker's Union is initiating strikes after negotiating past the contract deadline.
Why can't workers negotiate their contracts individually? Because we are living in a world of large organizations. When you bargain with a government or a multi-billion dollar corporation then employers make all the rules. When workers unite then balance is restored and contracts reflect the market rather than a power imbalance.
In New York the Transit Worker's Union is initiating strikes after negotiating past the contract deadline.
Why can't workers negotiate their contracts individually? Because we are living in a world of large organizations. When you bargain with a government or a multi-billion dollar corporation then employers make all the rules. When workers unite then balance is restored and contracts reflect the market rather than a power imbalance.
posted by Hellmut at 09:07
2 Comments:
Thanks for the post, Roasted Tomatoes. If one wants to know how well workers can do if there is a level playing field then one need only to look at the compensation packages of CEOs.
That's a good point, Marty. Anytime demand for a skill outstrips supply cartells are less effective.
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