Date of Award
1994
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Business Administration
Department
Business
First Advisor
Betty LeMasters
Second Advisor
Joe Ancona
Third Advisor
Pat Akers
Abstract
This paper will begin with an overview of the development of trade unions in the United States construction industry. It will discuss the development of various labor organizations, labor laws, and their effect on construction trade unions.
Based on these developments, trade unions' rise to tremendous power was rapid. With power came large wage increases and benefit packages. Jurisdictional lines were strictly adhered to. Because owners were forced to operate with cost constraints, trade unions were beginning to negotiate themselves out of a job.
The major point of this paper will be the ramifications of these developments as it affects the unions' ability to survive and operate at a level acceptable to owners.
Numerous benefits of the various construction trade unions, which are cost prohibitive to owners, will be discussed in detail. New labor agreements meant to strengthen union competitiveness will also be examined.
The purpose of this study is to investigate what trade unions and their non-union rivals mean to the construction industry.
Finally, the author will attempt to provide data suggesting that that construction trade unions are losing ground to non-union contractors.
Recommended Citation
Watson, Gary R., "Labor Unions: Losing Ground to Non-Union Rivals" (1994). Theses. 1508.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/theses/1508
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