[PEN-L:10747] Re: historical question

[Ellen Dannin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>]

On Wed, 11 Jun 1997, Michael Perelman wrote:
> James Devine wrote:
> > 
> > Michael Perelman asks if labor has ever been so weak with such low
> > unemployment rates ("tight" labor markets). I'd say yes. The 1920s was a
> > period of labor weakness, but low U rates:
> 
> Jim D. correctly notes that union participation was low in the 1920s. 
> In part, that did reflect a strong assault on labor with the Red Scare,
> etc.  In part, it reflected employers' strategy of welfare capitalism,
> where they offered certain "union-like" benefits to labor  In that
> sense, I would rule out the 20s.  What do you think?
> 
I'd like to suggest again that you not ignore the law and its impact 
here. David Montgomery's book, Citizen Worker, reviews how the law was 
enforced by the courts to weaken any rights workers had to act 
collectively. At the same time the corporate form was being given the 
rights of persons under the constitution and thus strengthened.

ellen

Ellen J. Dannin
California Western School of Law
225 Cedar Street
San Diego, CA  92101
Phone:  619-525-1449
Fax:    619-696-9999