sexes and between ethnic and racial groups. To be sure, some unions have been guilty of similar discriminatory practices, although the organized labor movement has actively promoted such social goals.
Supporters of labor unions claim that it is only through the actions of the labor unions that the workers of the country· union and non-union·are able to obtain their just share of the economic benefits of society. The labor unions claim that they alter the shares of national income between the workers (the owners of labor) and the companies (the owners of capital). The labor union argument is, quite simply, that they are able to obtain a greater share of total national income for labor at the expense of capital. In this argument, it is held that both union and non-union labor is benefited by this change in the income distribution patterns. This claim by labor unions is a major motivation for union membership.
Working hours also provide a motivation for labor union membership. In an historical context, the hours of work issue has been couched in terms of total number of hours per day worked, total number of hours per week worked, total number of days per week worked, and total number of days per year worked. What has not been at issue in the historical context is that work time, whatever its duration, should generally occur in blocks of contiguous hours. Beginning in the late-1970s and continuing into the decade of the 1990s, however, the concepts of the four-day work week and flextime are changing the character of this issue. Further, in most instances, business management has taken the lead in the development, gaining of acceptance, and introduction of such concepts. To be sure, the traditional framework of the issue·total hours worked·remains viable. Labor union fought hard for the 40-hour work week to protect labor from managerial exploitation.
Occupational safety and health concerns also provide a motivat...