Sociologist Tom Vickers tells what happened – and how Amazon reacted – when workers won a vote on official recognition in Coventry. Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast.
- Professor and Director of Labor and Employment Studies, San Francisco State University
Young motivated employees are pushing the movement for union representation among US workforces. Is it time for management to get on board?
Public support for unions is at a near 60-year high. Meanwhile, self-organizers at major American chains are spearheading a new movement to mobilize.
Starbucks Workers United has already organized 146 locations in about six months. While that’s a fraction of Starbucks’ 9,000 US stores, it’s one of the most successful labor campaigns in decades.
A regional director of the National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint over instances of anti-union practices at Starbucks. And that was before the company’s boss threatened to withhold wages.
Successful union drives at two of America’s biggest companies were led by committed individuals, rather than established unions.
Union membership has dwindled over the past five decades. But could a flurry of positive headlines over union drives help reverse this trend?
Unionization is at a record low in part thanks to the tactics these firms use on behalf of companies and other organizations.
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