10. post WW2

Question 1

period after the war =

Answer 1

large number of strikes

Question 2

what probably resulted in decline in the positions of the unions

Answer 2

the large number of strikes

Question 3

what did many people in politics believe

Answer 3

unions had become too powerful under Roosevelt

Question 4

what did the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 do

Answer 4

limited power of unions

Question 5

e.g. of an individual victory from the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947

Answer 5

1948

workers at general Motors negotiated a pay agreement (linked to the cost of living) and a pension package

Question 6

how did the economic changes that followed WW2 threaten to undermine position of workers

Answer 6

1. growth in number of white-collar workers
   decline in number of blue-collar workers =
   fewer workers joining unions
   (white collar workers often signed no-strike agreements)

Question 7

how else was the position and influence of unions hit?

Answer 7

many workers now much better off e.g. gained paid holidays, healthcare, pensions and pay rises linked to the cost of living = less interested in union activity

Question 8

Taft-Hartley Act of 1947

Answer 8

prevented unions from running a closed shop
(where one union dominated and all workers had to belong to it)
regulated relationship between unions and employees

Question 9

White-collar workers

Answer 9

professional, technical or clerical work

Question 10

Blue-collar workers

Answer 10

manual work