Assignment

Write a 5-7 page paper (exclusive of cover and reference pages). The paper must be word-processed, double-spaced with 1" margins, 12 point font, follow APA 6th Edition format, and be free of spelling and grammatical errors. At a minimum, you should utilize, cite within the text of your paper, and reference at least three sources for each of the two sections

Despite the longevity of labor unions in the US, the existence and power of unions remain an issue in our society. History reveals a decline in union membership and power after a peak in the 1960s and 70s. The past few years have seen a number of states passing so-called Right to Work laws which further erode the power of unions. And public sector employees have seen their wages, and health and retirement benefits, reduced as school districts, cities, and states scramble to balance budgets.

Despite current conditions, unions have not given up and appear to be trying new approaches or new locations to expand membership. One such effort is the ongoing attempt by the United Auto Workers (UAW) to establish a foothold in auto factories in the South. The UAW continues its effort to organize a large Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, Alabama, an effort that has been ongoing for almost 20 years.

An attempt was also made in 2014 to organize a VW plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and after a contentious and divisive campaign, the UAW lost a close election. However, the UAW continued efforts in the plant throughout 2015. Late in that year, a small group of skilled tradesmen voted in favor of forming a bargaining unit. VW opposed this move because it does not include all workers in the plant, and appealed the NLRB's certification to a federal appeals court.

Instructions for research paper

The paper you will write will have two sections, and should be appropriately separated.

In section 1: which should be the shorter of the two, you should research and report on the organizing efforts in the VW Chattanooga plant. Include in this section: What is the current status of unionization efforts in the plant? How and why did the attitude/position of VW change regarding unionization attempts in the plant? Do you think VW's appeal will be successful - why or why not? Why is this effort by the UAW so important to its hopes for growth in the South?

Section 2:

The paper you will need to explore the social, political, and economic factors at play in the South. Considering these three factors, discuss the following: What are the reasons an anti-union attitude is so prevalent in the South? Which group(s) benefits from this opposition to unions and why/how? Which group(s) is harmed by this opposition and why/how? Would union-level wages and benefits provide an economic boost to many of the Southern states that have some of the lowest average incomes in the country - why or why not? Are there other political, social, or economic reasons behind the opposition to unions in the South that you did not discuss above? Finally, do you see anything happening in society today that indicates that attitudes about unions could change in the South in the near future?