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http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-union-white-collar-20130516,0,4888842.story?track=lat-pick
White-collar workers are turning to labor unions
"There is a great deal of unrest among professional workers, who don't have a history of union joining behavior," one expert says. "They represent the frontiers of unionization in America."
NEW YORK — The next wave of union protesters isn't blue collar.
It's lawyers, paralegals, secretaries, helicopter pilots, judges, insurance agents and podiatrists.
These white-collar workers are not exactly the picture of the labor movement, but they are becoming a more essential part of it as they turn to unions for help in a tough economy as bosses try to squeeze out more profits.
"Employers have been downsizing, asking employees to take on larger roles, making them work more hours," said Nicole Korkolis, spokeswoman for the Office and Professional Employees International Union. "People are feeling like they need an advocate."
Members of UAW Local 2320 in New York, nearly half of whom are lawyers, voted to strike Wednesday, after their employer, Legal Services NYC, pushed for cuts to benefits in a recent contract negotiation.
Many of them had never been involved with labor unions before, but they said decisions by management led them to take the drastic action of voting to strike.
"They're pushing a lot of changes that are making it a less pleasant place to work," said Logan Schiff, 30, who recently left his job in the corporate world to become a lawyer helping clients facing foreclosures on Staten Island.
Like many in his union, he puts the blame on his employer's board members, who he says are unwilling to compromise. "These are corporate lawyers, making millions of dollars a year, dictating the policies of management," he said.
Some experts see professional workers such as Schiff as the future of the labor movement in a job market where white-collar employment is increasing and the manufacturing industry is steadily diminishing. Professionals account for 62% of the U.S. workforce, up from 15% in 1977.
This should be interesting. The same people that were convinced unions were no longer necessary and actually supported destroying them have found that now they are in same boat as the former union members.
White-collar workers are turning to labor unions
"There is a great deal of unrest among professional workers, who don't have a history of union joining behavior," one expert says. "They represent the frontiers of unionization in America."
NEW YORK — The next wave of union protesters isn't blue collar.
It's lawyers, paralegals, secretaries, helicopter pilots, judges, insurance agents and podiatrists.
These white-collar workers are not exactly the picture of the labor movement, but they are becoming a more essential part of it as they turn to unions for help in a tough economy as bosses try to squeeze out more profits.
"Employers have been downsizing, asking employees to take on larger roles, making them work more hours," said Nicole Korkolis, spokeswoman for the Office and Professional Employees International Union. "People are feeling like they need an advocate."
Members of UAW Local 2320 in New York, nearly half of whom are lawyers, voted to strike Wednesday, after their employer, Legal Services NYC, pushed for cuts to benefits in a recent contract negotiation.
Many of them had never been involved with labor unions before, but they said decisions by management led them to take the drastic action of voting to strike.
"They're pushing a lot of changes that are making it a less pleasant place to work," said Logan Schiff, 30, who recently left his job in the corporate world to become a lawyer helping clients facing foreclosures on Staten Island.
Like many in his union, he puts the blame on his employer's board members, who he says are unwilling to compromise. "These are corporate lawyers, making millions of dollars a year, dictating the policies of management," he said.
Some experts see professional workers such as Schiff as the future of the labor movement in a job market where white-collar employment is increasing and the manufacturing industry is steadily diminishing. Professionals account for 62% of the U.S. workforce, up from 15% in 1977.
This should be interesting. The same people that were convinced unions were no longer necessary and actually supported destroying them have found that now they are in same boat as the former union members.
