New Directions for American Unionism

Abstract

America's trade unions take a dual approach to advancing the interests of workers and their families. This dual approach includes not only collective bargaining with employers but also renewed emphasis on representation of workers' interests in the political-legislative process. In the 1980s and 1990s the American labor movement will push at the bargaining table and at the ballot box for full employment and job security, fair income distribution through wage and salary improvements and better government taxing and spending policies, adequate health and safety protections for workers and their families, protection of workers against adverse affects of technological change, better U.S. trade policies, and a coherent national industrial policy. Union mergers in the 1980s and 1990s will strengthen the ability of unions to represent workers more effectively.