Due Sat 3/26 by noon
In 2-3 paragraphs, please reflect upon the following article and place it in conversation with this week’s readings on globalization and women’s labor. What is the importance of labor unions here and abroad? Why are they particularly important for women laborers? How do union concerns here in the United States relate to union concerns in the “developing world”? (hint: consider free trade agreements). Can you imagine unions being a point of transnational solidarity for workers? Why?
The article and our readings really made me think about what is going on in the world that many of us are oblivious too. Especially concerning things having to do with women and their safety. In Brigid O’Farrell’s article she talks about the fire that was set to a factory that made blouses that many immigrant women worked at. She described how these women worked in harsh conditions and died because of it. They were allowed to be so mistreated in their work environment and there was nothing that they personally could do to change it because they could not vote for the people who had that power. Just like in our readings this week in the “Globetrotting Sneaker” the Korean women also suffered from the same problems in their workplace, except for the fact that soon in Wisconsin unions for women were soon formed. Also soon after the fire, legislation was passed about the safety in the workplace.
ReplyDeleteFrom the article and our readings this past week the talk about labor unions here and throughout the world, is finally beginning to click for me on why they are important. Labor unions are important for not only women in the United States but for women all over the world so that they may be able to get what they deserve in the workplace. Whether that has to do with making it a safer place for them to work, or raising their pay. These things are extremely important in the women workforce because they do not always work in the safest environments and its time to change that.
Labor unions serve as legal representatives of industrial workers. Labor unions work together to create a safe and for working environment. This week our readings were centered on globalization and women's labor. In the "Globetrotting Sneaker" women began organizing in response to the dangerous working conditions. These trade organizations take advantages of these women's opportunistic views of a job, and had no means of improving their working conditions. This would be done by denying their right to organize collectively. Global economy began to spread into developing countries in attempt to pay women workers very little for profit.
ReplyDeleteThe women in the article were denied the right to organize collectively as well. Not until something as drastic as the fire had taken place was the problem with women not having the right to collect noticed. Labor unions helped to secure descent wages, give reasonable benefits, and gave security for retirement. Eleanor thought unions were the only way for women to improve their working lives. Labor unions are important because women are being targeted abroad. Union concerns in the Unite States relate to those in the developing world because they depend on trade agreements made between their own governments in which they want to make or sell their products. Unions should be allowed for all workers to ensure safety and fairness so that no worker is exploited.
The article "From the Triangle Fire to Wisconsin, Rights for Women Workers", and this weeks readings on globalization and women's labor really opened my eyes to the reality of women's rights and working conditions. In this weeks article "Globetrotting Sneaker" it states ow women started to organize unions. These unions were began organization in response to the horrible and dangerous working conditions they dealt with. Many trade organizations had no intensions to improve these terrible conditions and wen global economy started to spread around the world it paid women workers very little to the point where there was not much of a profit.
ReplyDeleteIt has been hundred years since the Triangle Fire that took place at on Saturday March 25th, in Washington Square,New York City. On this day 146 women died, most of them were Jewish or Italian. The doors were locked to the factory and the fire ladders couldn't reach the top of the factory. During this time women had very little rights not to mention they couldn't vote. Now in Wisconsin their rights are being taken away and criticized due to economic problems. Governor Walker of Wisconsin is taking women's right to have a voice in the work force by criticizing unions that many women are members of. In these unions they secured benefits in many areas like better wages, retirement, working conditions, etc. I think it is unfair for a Governor to pick at women unions in a search to help economic issues that effect the whole country, women have fought so hard for what we have today yet our rights are still being threatened... What the heck Everyone is equal in American should everyone should be allowed in unions and get the same benefits from them!!
Labor Unions are the supporting structures for common workers in our environments then, and now. The unions worked together to change the harsh, and/or unfair conditions of workers in the industries. Eleanor Roosevelt struggled with concerns about public sector unions, but by the mid-1950s she began to see the importance of unions for public employees as well as those in private industry. As the world changed and she learned more about working conditions and management attitudes in government and the non-profit world, she became a strong supporter of public sector unions.
ReplyDeleteAs in "The Globetrotting Sneaker," the women in this article were denied the right of organizing a union. Although their working environments were quite dangerous they were still denied the rights of doing such a thing. In the article above, it took a disaster in the workplace in order for women to get something done about their working conditions. The union concerns of the US are like those in the developing world because trade agreements are made between governments, and that is how goods are processed between the countries.
In Brigid O’Farrell’s article she discusses the shirt factory, where many immigrant women worked, and how it was set on fire. These women were in the process of forming labor unions. A labor union is somewhat of a safe haven for the all of the workers in their workplace. It's an opportunity for them to band together and try to alter the conditions under which they work. The trade organizations featured in "Globetrotting Sneaker" had no intentions on improving these ladies working conditions. As a result these women were denied their rights overall and were paid unfairly.
ReplyDeleteThe fire that occurred in this article changed a lot for women. After this happened, labor unions came together and decided that women deserved to receive retirement options, benefits, and reasonable wages. The fact that these labor unions were established for women is very impertative because the women in this article weren't the only ones affected; women all over the world were being targeted in the same ways, if not worsely. The fact that unions still exist today, is great because they stand for great things, such as safety and equality amongst workers.
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ReplyDeleteThe Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1922 began a wave of progress for working women's rights that continues today. As a result of this disaster, many began to see the need for women to be able to unionize and lobby for adequate working conditions so that instances such as these would not be the norm. The importance of labor unions is that they ensure certain rights and benefits for workers. They ensure that women earn enough to provide for themselves and their families. The unions form a strong power within a large group that can hopefully prove a point to their manufacturer to get the particular benefits they want.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be that unions work better here in the United States. In the “Globetrotting Sneaker,” it talks about how badly the Korean workers of shoe factories are treated and how little they care about changing this. In China independent trade unions are banned. This is an unfortunate feat for these women. They might never be able to change the system overseas.
The article and readings we read show people on the 'other side' how important labor unions are to women workers everywhere. Labor unions provide the safety and opportunity that women need while working in dangerous environments and for low wages. The workers in Asia or Russia may have worse or more hectic conditions that workers in the United States but they relate through trade agreements. In "Globetrotting Sneaker" it states that "big business will step up efforts to pit working women in industrialized countries against much lower-paid working women in 'developing' countries.." which basically tells us these women will still continue to be treated and paid unfairly.
ReplyDeleteEleanor Roosevelt was correct when she sought out that unions were to improve the working and personal lifestyles of women. She has realized that it was time for change in the working woman's equality- people listened. Workers went on strike and demanded for fairness in the workplace. During her time, Eleanor changed the woman's workforce and created a bond that all working woman constantly remind themselves of today.