Aug. 31, 1998
Contact:Teressa Tignor Gilbreth
Information Specialist, (573) 882-9144, [email protected]
STATE OF THE UNIONS: A LABOR DAY MESSAGE
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Experts say the economy is good right now. Economic indicators such as the stock market, house sales, consumer spending and unemployment show that the quality of life in the United States is getting better. However, the signs of a healthier economy are not resulting in secure jobs for many Americans, said Paul Rainsberger, director of the Labor Education Program at the University of Missouri -Columbia Extension Division.
"The economy is in good shape with a 5 percent annual rate of growth this year, but it is not translating into better conditions for American workers," Rainsberger said. "Historically a good economy means higher real wages. In the last 25 years, this has not been the case."
Over the years, there also has been a shift in the issues that concern union workers. "Highly publicized cases involving union conflicts at big companies such as UPS, Anheuser-Busch and the General Motors plants in Flint, Mich., have not been driven by wage and benefit issues, but rather by job and economic security," he said. "The trend toward elimination of permanent jobs and hiring of temporary, contingent workers has created a high level of fear and uncertainty in the lives of union workers as well as non-union workers in the United States."
Rainsberger is director of the Labor Education Program at MU, which conducts research and provides continuing education opportunities to the members, leaders and officers of labor unions throughout the state of Missouri. MU's program is one of 48 university-based labor education programs in the United States. Some recent offerings include the Arbitration Institute, a four-day intensive training session for union advocates in grievance arbitration; a one-day overview of the Family Medical Leave Act; and a summer camp for young people to learn about labor unions. The MU program also offers a Certificate in Labor Studies after completion of several courses.
Creating awareness and understanding of labor relations issues is often difficult because people generally only hear or think about unions when there is a crisis. If things work the way they should, conflicts don't become strikes. The reality is that fewer than 5 percent of all organized labor disputes end up in a strike. In 1997, strikes occurred in only 29 cases among all bargaining relationships in the United States involving at least 1,000 workers.
-30-
RSS