How Labor Unions Shape Society | Margaret Levi | TED

The weekend. Social security. Health insurance. What do these things have in common? They're all thanks to the advocacy of labor unions. Political economist Margaret Levi explains how these organizations forge equality and protect worker rights, calling for a 21st-century revival of the labor movement in order to build a more equitable future.

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[dhrubajyoti]

YOU are right. I am a proud member of local 1700 UAW member. We are working hard to make a middle class families…., we need your support….

[GaasubaMeskhenet]

It was unity that saved us from oppression

[nichole]

One of the biggest industries that needs a union is retail. Working with the public all day is mentally and physically draining. Only receiving 30-60 break with no benefits. Is someone gets sick, a family emergency, home or car emergency and they are unable to work, majority of them won't get paid. Employers hire people under a part-time status but given full time hours so as to not have to provide health benefits. People should be paid according to their experience but unfortunately, they are not. Unions would also keep upper management from hiring their "buddies" over someone more qualified, regardless of race or sexual orientation, etc. The years I spent in retail and always had the same statement arise in my mind with every employer was "it doesn't have to be this way". Meaning that the chaos that is rampant in retail, doesn't have to be there.

[lori-annburlingame]

Maragret Levi's TED Talk about unions was excellent. As a former labor relations specialist, I am not against unions. However, I have no love loss for union or nonunion workers that do not respect boundaries, safety regulations, or policies that were put in place to protect them.

[hrushikeshavachat]

As long as unions and union leaders don't misuse their power, unions are a important and vital part of the development of society.

[beraudmode]

It is a real shame that people these days does not want to build a society. We can only expect the worst to happen.

[SIZModig]

Respect for this Lady, her Maesters' chains has so many links on it

[Callsign-Blade_RunnerSG]

Unions are VERY important especially to protect employees from unscrupulous employers. 👍🏻

[Thethelement]

Unions are good and bad. Having worked in construction management and consulting, I found it ridiculous that we had to place a Teamster on a job site with ‘his’ own trailer, phone, etc. at the manager’s expense when it was premature to have one onsite. I can go on about this part of what I call corrupt.

On the good side, I totally agree that unions protected workers from all abuses. Alternative unions are a great idea.

[johnnypal]

I’m one year into a middle management position as a social worker. I was raised in a working class pro-union family. My work is in the early stages of unionization and I am THRILLED. I am sickened by how our administration (many of whom are social workers and/or belong to marginalized groups) must have forgotten what it’s like on the ground, or even at middle management. Even tho I can’t join (which sucks- I am very much still in the trenches… looking for clients in crack houses, etc.) I am so hopeful for the changes that this could bring.

[katik.]

Thank you! Excellent information. Wish I could take your class.

[stephenespinozajimenez]

Perfect subject I'm currently unemployed and looking for work but get no reply on my applications if anyone has work I will greatly appreciate it I uploaded a video explaining my current situation thanks for the always nutrient full info ted blessings to everyone

[bennyc]

I think the structure of unions is the problem in the United States. In countries like Germany the unions are more integrated into the company, this breaks down the hostility and the us versus them mentality.

[theresabell]

The sad thing this country and leaders are not supporting the labor movement and we the people period.😢😢😢

[johnnypal]

And read “Nickel and Dimed” by Barbara Ehrenreich.

[boduholm]

In Scandinavia, we have unions; in my opinion, they should be tamed. Unions basically just closed down the Scandinavian Airlines. That is government-backed. Sweden just sold all their shares. There is a strike warning from the pilots. So, in my opinion. Unions are necessary, but they need to adapt to modern life.

[alexsaab]

There is a surge of unionization in my state which is good however the local UFCW union leadership is questionable at best. But I guess a watered down union is better than nothing.

[greggary]

At the beginning of the industrial revolution, employers (if they could be called that) & government had all the power.

Unions came out of the 30’s & grew in power through the 60’s and 70’s.

In the 80’s corporations began gradually working politically to reduce union power. That started with Regan.

In the 2000’s that came to fruition as corporations gained more political control & made it very difficult for unions to be effective.

Now there is a union resurgence and it’s necessary & can have an impact IF union members are wary of who is running things.

That said, the real economic & political power today is in the hands of the consumer. Governments & corporations are completely addicted to cooperative consumer behaviour.

There are no consumer unions yet. There may never be. But imagine the power they could wield.

[asdrubalvelasquez]

A new paradigm of Unions by Margaret Levi for a developed economy, in Latin America we have to put the focus on the one hand of members of unions whom dealed rigths, social labour benefits with owners of companies and on the other hand the goverments which not guaranted progressive labour rigths, its needed a balance between wages a labour benefits for a renewed and more progressive worker class beyond its tuition, education for better productions methods.

[dmoney]

Yes please bring back unions. Raising the minimum wage is not the answer. The loss of unions is a problem. That's why people in skilled trades are leaving by the droves.