Unionized Workers In America - Essay Example

Unionized Workers In America IntroductionThe graph given in the figure shows the rise and fall of unionized workers from 1930 to the period of 2003. As is seen from the graph there was a gradual increase in the number of unionized workers in between 1930 and 1948 and a gradual decrease of unionized workers after the period. The following essay explores the probable reasons behind the same.DiscussionAs seen from the above diagram there has been a rise and fall in the union membership in between 1930 and 2003.

In capital moves Cowie argues that system is not regionally segmented as production is shifted by the corporations from first world to third world countries. In his book a bold thesis is presented by Cowie in order to challenge the orthodoxy theory of the theorists of globalization. The author does this by dealing with the theory of globalization. The author does this by taking the example of Radio Corporation of America (Cowie 150). The author points to the fact that RCA shifted its locations to four different areas over the course of its history.

He first takes to Camden, New Jersey which is the site of the largest factory complex in the whole world. Workers of RCA in Camden appeared to be uncomplaining and malleable. They were willing to work for long hours on production lines and received wages that were far below the normal level applicable for the male counterparts. It was believed by RCA that the division of labor on the basis of gender would result in the company having a greater control over its workforce. It was during the 1930s however, that Camden was turned into a major battle ground for the unionization of the electronics industry.

In response to the strikes RCA moved its operations from Camden to Bloomington (Romero 175). The same argument can be used to argue for the reason behind the dramatic changes in the number of unionized workers over the period from 1930 to 2003. During the early period of the 1930s and 1940s most of the American companies set up their manufacturing hubs in different parts America. Initially the corporations paid less salary to the members and extracted greater output from them. However, with the formation of unions, the workers started demanding more wages and this resulted in the fact that the manufacturing bases were often shifted from one place to another.

However, with the rise of pressure from the workers unions the management started getting cornered and were forced to comply with the demands of the workforce. However, with the start of globalization the companies realized that they could get the same level of output as they were presently getting if they shifted the manufacturing bases to countries like India and China. As the companies started to shift their manufacturing bases to third world countries the number of workers in America got reduced and this resulted in the fall of unionized workers in the USA.

ConclusionThe above essay tries to provide an explanation behind the rise and fall of the number of unionized workers in America over the period from 1930 to 2002. The probable explanation is the shift of the manufacturing bases to third world countries. Works citedBBC. Keynes v Hayek: Two economic giants go head to head. 3 Aug. 2011. Web. 04 Dec. 2015. < http://www.bbc.com/news/business-14366054 > Cowie, Jefferson. "Capital moves: RCA’s 70-year quest for cheap labor." (1999). NY: Cornell University Press. Print. Kirshner, Jonathan.

The Global Financial Crisis: a turning point. 08 Nov. 2014. Web. 04 Dec. 2015. < http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathankirshner/2014/11/08/the-global-financial-crisis-a-turning-point/ >.NANCY KOEHN. The tale of the dueling economists. 22 Oct. 2011. Web. 04 Dec. 2015. < http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/business/keynes-hayek-views-origins-of-an-economics-debate-review.html?_r=0 >.Romero, Federico. "Capital Moves: RCA's Seventy-Year Quest for Cheap Labor. By Jefferson Cowie.(Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1999.

xii, 273 pp. $29.95, ISBN 0-8014-3525-0.)." The Journal of American History 87.1 (2000): 316-317. PrintThe economist. The origins of the financial crisis. 7 Sept. 2013. Web. 04 Dec. 2015. < http://www.economist.com/news/schoolsbrief/21584534-effects-financial-crisis-are-still-being-felt-five-years-article >.