UNION FRAGMENTATION: A MAJOR CAUSE OF TRANSPORTATION LABOR CRISES

The transportation industry's labor force is represented by some seventy-seven different unions, and it is the contention of the author that this fragmentation is causing the labor crises in our transportation industry. Each of the major transportation fields, trucking, air, railroads and the maritime, is examined. Union representation for each industry is presented along with a short review of the type of labor relations each has had. From this examination of the strike records of these different industries the conclusion is drawn that fragmentation of labor union representation leads to labor unrest and industrial problems. The article goes on to examine the Nixon administration's proposals and to propose programs that the author would favor including a National Labor Relations Act to replace the Taft-Hartly Act and the Railway Labor Act. There is also a discussion of industrial unionism and union consolidation and its effect on the transportation industry. Author concludes that if all transportation workers were represented by one large union the problem of union fragmentation would be solved. This would then lead to gains that would benefit labor, management and the nation as a whole.

• Corporate Authors:

  New York State School of Industry and Labor Relations

  Cornell University
  Ithaca, NY  United States  14850
• Authors:
  • Shils, E B
• Publication Date: 1971-10

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 32-52
• Serial:
  • Industrial and Labor Relations Review
  • Volume: 25
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: New York State School of Industry and Labor Relations

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Labor relations; Labor unions
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Education and Training; Marine Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00019532
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: United States Merchant Marine Academy
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 25 1974 12:00AM