Michigan is one of the most unionized states in the country, with a long and sometimes troubled labor history that powerfully affects every citizen in the state from blue-collar factory workers to suburban soccer moms. Yet few understand how modern labor unions and state and federal labor laws operate. This study clearly and concisely explains the history of organized labor in America, how government unions affect the democratic process, how compulsory unionism interferes with workers' rights of free speech and association, and much more. Several recommendations for reform point the way toward restoring a more balanced, government-neutral approach to Michigan labor relations.

Contents

• Introduction
  
  
• The Prevalence of Unions in Michigan
  
  
• Michigan Citizens Have Little Knowledge of Unions and Labor Law
  
  
• History of American Labor Law and Unions
  
  
• Government's Three Historical Approaches to Labor Unions
  
  
• Spectrum of Government Intervention in Organized Labor
  
  
• The Modern Approach to Labor Unions
  
  
• The Beginnings of the American Labor Movement
  
  
• The National Labor Relations Act and the Growth of Organized Labor
  
  
• How Labor Unions Operate
  
  
• How and Why Unions Are Created
  
  
• How Collective Bargaining Works
  
  
• Important Differences between Government and Private-Sector Unions
  
  
• How Public Sector Unions Politicize Government
  
  
• Union Security and Membership Obligations
  
  
• Employee Rights in a Unionized Workplace
  
  
• Advantages of Union Representation
  
  
• Disadvantages of Union Representation
  
  
• Employee Legal Rights and Opportunities in Unionized and Nonunionized Workplaces
  
  
• Unionized Workers' Employment Rights and Opportunities
  
  
• Nonunionized Workers' Employment Rights and Opportunities
  
  
• Mandated Employment Laws and the Erosion of the "At-Will" Doctrine
  
  

• Compulsory Unionism for Private-Sector Employees
  
  
• The National Labor Relations Board and "Unfair Labor Practices"
  
  
• The Union Organizing Drive
  
  
• The Union Representation Election Process
  
  
• Contract Negotiations and Strikes
  
  
• Filing Unfair Labor Practice Charges
  
  
• Compulsory Unionism for Government Employees
  
  
• Michigan's Public Employment Relations Act
  
  
• The Federal Civil Service Reform Act
  
  

• Decline of the Organized Labor Movement
  
  
• Union Membership Is Rapidly Decreasing
  
  
• Four Reasons for the Decrease in Union Membership
  
  
• The Labor Movement's Perception of Its Decline
  
  
• Organized Labor's Decline: A Diagnosis
  
  
• Recommendations for Labor Law Reform That Enhances Workers' Freedom and Protects Their Rights
  
  
• Recommendation #1
  
  
• Recommendation #2
  
  
• Recommendation #3
  
  
• Recommendation #4
  
  
• Conclusion