The Labor Movements in the United States and the United Kingdom

AshEse Journal of Economics

Vol. 2(2), pp. 083-088, February, 2016

ISSN 2396-8966

© 2016 AshEse Visionary Limited        

Case Report     

Hany H. Makhlouf

School of Business and Public Administration, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D. C. 20008, USA.

Author E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Received January, 2016; Accepted February, 2016.

Abstract

The rise of the labor movements in the United Kingdom in the 17^th century and the United States in the 19^th century, their growth through most of the 20^th century, and their steady decline since the 1970s reflect several similarities and differences in their experiences, strategies, tactics, and goals. Both movements faced many early challenges that threatened their survival, and went through growth periods, followed by the current decline phase in which they are struggling to prove their worth and relevance in changing economies and new labor market realities. This article examines the similarities and differences in these labor movements’ experiences in their past and current environments. It argues that labor unions are not likely to face the destiny of the dinosaurs, but they may have to continue to evolve, adjust, and innovate to stop their decline and appeal to a changing labor force. Their bread and butter focus, however, is likely to remain as the core of their existence.

Key words: The Combination Acts, Knights of Labor, American Federation of Labor (AFL), Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), Labor Union.

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