This issue of the Label Letter presents a brief history of women in the Labor Movement and salutes the many women who have achieved leadership roles in labor organizations at every level.
The rise of women to leadership positions coincides with the current nearly 50% female membership in unions. Women in unions fight for equal rights, safe and fair working conditions, family leave policies, workplace protections against harassment and discrimination. In fact, they seek the same goals as men who belong to a union and enjoy a union contract.
If the Labor Movement continues to support goals of union members both female and male, it will improve conditions across all workplaces.
The International Longshoremen’s Association strike against port operators reached a temporary end with the major issue of automation yet to be resolved. The supplanting of workers by machines and technology is an old one. In the 1700s and early 19th Century, the cotton gin, steam engines and electric motors revolutionized work in factories and farms. Advantages were enjoyed by some people while in many cases workers were harmed by job losses.
Now comes a new technology, Artificial Intelligence, riding on the computer technology that has already occasioned many workplace changes. Profound changes are promised by AI proponents as workers’ advocates see threats to jobs.
The ILA strike brought acute attention to the automation issue as the economy was faced with major disruptions. The threat from AI and automation to the livelihood of dockworkers should receive as much attention.
The ILA is fighting for workers beyond its membership. Job security in the face of technology will be one of the most critical points in many future negotiations.
