1. By: Sean M. Walsh
Research Seminar/Dr. Kevin
Downing DePaul University

2. With the growing number of nonstandard jobs in the United States, I’d
like to research the effects of the American labor union membership
shrinking, and discover if there is a correlation with the increase in
nonstandard jobs. Knowing if the American worker prefers a
nonstandard job over a standard job can benefit employers by
understanding the compensational value of the American worker. In
turn, the employee will understand weather their value is worth more, or
would it be beneficial to employ a third party (labor union) for
negotiations. It is important to understand the value of the American
worker in order to sustain an American workforce and economy. I
intend to understand if better compensation can be awarded to an
employee negotiating individually, or collectively through a labor union.
I would like to conduct several interviews with labor unions, private
companies, and employees of all types to ask several questions about
their self-value. After all the data is collected, I hope to have a better
understanding of what the American employee needs, and what the
American employer is willing to provide, and whether or not a third
party negotiator is needed.

3. • Labor Unions in America
formed in the late 1800’s –
Knights of Labor (Griswold
181).
• In 1866, the American
Federation of Labor was
formed (Gildemeister 263).
• Unions negotiated
collectively for safer working
conditions, a minimum wage,
reasonable working hours,
and job security.By 1945, 34.2% of the American workforce was represented by a Union
(Hogler 83).

4. • In 1955, the AFL merged with
the Congress of industrial
Organizations forming the AFL-
CIO (Lichtenstein 147).
• In 1958, the American
Federation of State, County,
and Municipal Employees
(AFSCME) was formed in New
York City (Lichtenstein 182).
• In 1979, union member
population reached an all-time
high at 21 million workers out of
the 45 million American
workers. 46% of the American
workforce was represented by a
union (Western).

5. • The Professional Air Traffic
Controller’s Organization
(PATCO) goes on strike
disrupting air
transportation.
• President Regan stripped
PATCO of their federal
charter, and Union busting
campaigns began.
• Mass Union layoffs
throughout the American
workforce (Cheney 523).
• Introduction of nonstandard
employment in the
American workforce.
• Americans transition form
collective bargaining, to
individual negotiations.Union membership as of September 2015 only makes up one-tenth of the
American working population (Western).

6. My proposed research will attempt to determine the best
economic outcome (salary, health, and retirement benefits)
for employee compensation of the American worker
through either, collective bargaining or individual
negotiation. Furthermore, my proposed research will try to
determine whether or not the American worker prefers
collective bargaining, or individual negotiation for services
rendered to an employee. Finally, I will attempt to discover
if the future of the American workforce is shifting from being
a standard workforce, to a nonstandard workforce.
Standard
Job
Nonstandar
d Job
What does the
American worker
prefer?

7. It is important to understand where the American worker will get the best
monitorial benefits for services rendered. Another fact to consider is
representation for the American worker. Representation for employees is
important when it comes to disciplinary proceedings and wrongful
termination within the workplace. Knowing what laws are in effect to
protect the American worker is important to understand when employers
are asking, in some cases demanding, the abolishment of their Unions and
collective bargaining rights (Greene, pg 75). It would be prudent to know
whether a union representative, or an attorney, would best suit the
employee in matters of discipline or termination.
Individually?
Union? Collective Bargaining?

8. The significance of the research presented will offer
answers to the questions, how much is the American
worker worth? And how should the American worker
negotiate? Shall the American worker negotiate certain
positions one on one with their employer, or is it best to
negotiate collectively? The answers to these questions will
be critical in order for the American worker to negotiate
successfully. It would be economically beneficial for the
United States to see a growing middle class, instead of the
widening spectrum of the rich and poor.

9. Public Sector Unions Private Sector Unions Management Groups
Businesses
Chicago Firefighters, Local
2
Chicago Plumbers, Local 130 City of Chicago General Electric
Chicago Fraternal Order of
Police, Lodge 7
Hoisting Engineers, Local
150
Chicago Contractors
Association
Target
Chicago Teachers Union
Chicago Laborers, Local
1001
Suburban Municipalities McDonalds
Chicago Electricians, Local
134
Walgreens
Chicago Pipefitters, Local
597
Dick’s Sporting Goods
• Interviews
Interview several labor unions and management groups in both the private and public sectors.

10. The questions for Public/Private Union Leadership:
• How would you describe the rapport between the local union you represent, and management?
Why?
• How would you describe the morale your union’s membership? Why?
• What recent (within the last 10 years) breakthroughs have you set forth affecting your union’s
membership?
• What recent (within the last 10 years) set-backs have occurred affecting your union’s membership?
• Do you see your union’s membership growing, declining, or stagnant within the next ten years?
Why?
Questions for Management Groups:
• How would you describe the rapport between the company/municipality you represent, and local
unions? Why?
• How would you describe the morale of your employees?
• What recent (within the last 10 years) breakthroughs have you set forth affecting your employees?
• What recent (within the last 10 years) set-backs have occurred affecting your employees?
• Do you see your employee population growing, declining, or stagnant within the next ten years?

11. Surveys
The survey portion of my research will be done
electronically. The method I will devise will be an
internet based survey sent via email and social media
outlets. The survey will be open to union members and
non-union members. It is my goal to have the survey
completed by more than one thousand workers
within a ten week period. The survey will be short in order
to get the highest completed return.

12. Survey Questions:
• To Chicago Workers:
• How would you want to negotiate your salary and benefits with your
employer?
• Individually? One on one negotiation with your employer, why?
• Collectively? Through a Union or Association, Why?
• Unsure? Explain.
• To Business Owners:
• How would you want to negotiate your salary and benefits with your
employees?
• Individually? One on one negotiation with your employee, why?
• Collectively? Through a Union or Association (One negotiation for all
employees), why?
• Unsure? Explain.
• To Union Members Only:
• Please describe your morale toward your local union and explain why.
• What changes would you make about your benefits negotiated by your
local union? Why?

13. • Trade Journals
Upon completion of the
aforementioned research, it is my
intention to have the findings
published in trade journals specified
to organized labor, public services,
and economics. The information
can be valuable to both sides of the
negotiation table.
• Consulting
With the research data
compiled, I would like to consult
with labor unions and
politicians in order to expedite union
negotiations between union
members and local governments in
the hopes to reduce long

14. Now…

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