The Game Between American Right-to-work States And Labor Unions In The Middle Of The Twentieth Century

The right to work, which regarded as right to live and a natural right, was guidedby Franklin Roosevelt’s new employment policy after World War II. The Right toWork States appeared mainly in the1940s to1960. I focus on analyzing the game ofRight to Work States and labor unions through examining the Right-to-Work Laws ofstates and appeal of labor unions. This thesis was formed by four parts.The first chapter traced enactment of Right-to-Work Laws of states and demandsof labor unions during the1940s. The points reflected three aspects from thelegislation of each state: the right to work of employees could not be threatened orpressured by anyone; certain careers had specialized requirements which out of thejurisdiction of State Right to Work Laws; the laws defined the boundary of illegalityand provided victim of relief and appeal. During this period, the increasingly numberof industrial workers strongly asked for substantial benefits raise.The second chapter analyzes the development of Right to Work States andchanges of union ideology between1950s and1960s. The number of Right to WorkStates increased; the labor unions integrated and reformed in the1940s to1950s. Thefoundation of AFL-CIO in1955was the summit of labor organizations. At this period,the role of labor unions mainly was collective bargaining for workers’ maximalbenefits. Also, the federal government continued to focus on employment issues ofcitizens and then proposed policies and adjustments to adapt to different types ofunemployment.The third chapter evaluates the game of Right to Work States and labor unions.The fundamental point in the game between Right-to-Work States and labor unions inthe1940s to1960was inconsistencies of freedom and property between individualsand enterprises. The different understanding of the Constitution and the attitudetowards non-union members between Right-to-Work States and labor unions led tological premise differently.The conclusion of this thesis reiterates the argument and summarizes the full text.The game between the Right-to-Work States and labor unions during1940s to1960sreflected the confrontation and compromise of rights of liberty and property which Americans believe in a capitalist society. Through policy and legislative means aswell as economic self-regulation, the State government would both ensured that thefreedom of citizens could not be forced by labor organizations, but encouraged laborunion to oversee enterprise to achieve labor equilibrium.