By examining the history of the legal regulation of union actions, this fascinating book offers a new interpretation of American labor-law policy-and its harmful impact on workers today. Arguing that the decline in union membership and bargaining power is linked to rising income inequality, this important book traces the evolution of labor law in America from the first labor-law case in 1806 through the passage of right-to-work legislation in Michigan and Indiana in 2012. In doing so, it shares important insights into economic development, exploring both the nature of work in America and the part the legal system played-and continues to play-in shaping the lives of American workers. The book illustrates the intertwined history of labor law and politics, showing how these forces quashed unions in the 19th century, allowed them to flourish in the mid-20th century, and squelched them again in recent years. Readers will learn about the negative impact of union decline on American workers and how that decline has been influenced by political forces. They will see how the right-to-work and Tea Party movements have combined to prevent union organizing, to the detriment of the middle class. And they will better understand the current failure to reform labor law, despite a consensus that unions can protect workers without damaging market efficiencies. Provides a unique interpretation of labor law from a multidisciplinary perspective that encompasses history, politics, economics, culture, and psychology Considers the role organized labor played in creating the American middle class and what role it might play in the future Shows the adverse consequences of the contemporary right-to-work movement Examines the politicized nature of law in America Offers recommendations for political action to restore union vitality

This book is a comprehensive treatment of worker participation in the United States and its relation to the legal system. The purpose of the study is to analyze the meaning and practice of industrial democracy and to propose statutory reforms that would benefit both management and labor. It is unique in its interdisciplinary approach, which combines research from the fields of history, law, industrial relations, sociology, and organizational behavior.

Labor-management cooperation and worker participation are subjects of vigorous debate. This work examines the arguments concerning the benefits and deficiencies of involvement programs, their impact on union relationships, and their function as techniques to enhance productivity and competitiveness in the workplace. The study traces the history of participation from its inception in the 1870s through the 1980s, surveying the case law from 1934 to 1991, and provides a political and economic context for the analysis of participation. The book will be of interest to scholars and professionals in industrial relations, industrial sociology, labor law, and labor studies.

This text focuses on employment relations and human resource management in a new way. As the body of law grows increasingly complex, and the regulatory environment becomes more important to navigate, managers must have a strong grasp of the legal issues affecting the dealings between workers and employers. This text engages those issues and prepares students and future managers to understand, articulate, and apply legal concepts across all levels of management.
Key Features:
- While a comprehensive overview, the materials also allow students to critically analyze legal documents and principles.
- For each specific topic, students examine statutes, cases, and leading interpretations of doctrine. A set of questions offers points for discussion, while optional exercises allow students to more deeply explore significant issues.
- For individuals with responsibilities in hiring, firing, and compensation, avoiding legal entanglements is an essential part of the job.
This is the text for providing human resource students a foundation of legal understanding as they prepare for their careers.
A professor of management at Colorado State University, Raymond Hogler has worked and taught in the field of employment relations for three decades. He received Ph.D. and J.D. degrees from the University of Colorado. Following a judicial clerkship, he spent two years with a management consulting firm in Denver representing employers in labor law matters and then moved to the Center for Labor Education and Research at the University of Colorado. He then taught at the Pennsylvania State University Department of Labor Studies and Industrial Relations, where he earned tenure and promotion. His publication record includes over sixty articles in academic and legal journals and several books, the most recent of which is "Employment Relations in the United States" (Sage, 2004). Among other honors, he was awarded the 2007 Fulbright Distinguished Chair of Labor Law at the University of Tuscia (Viterbo, Italy) where he taught a course on American labor relations.