Oakland General Strike
1. Pick a strike that
occurred in the U.S. sometime in the last 10 years. What do you think caused
that strike? Make sure you point to specific evidence to support your claim.
Now suggest how that strike illustrates a general explanation of strike
occurrence. Describe what kinds of additional information or data you might
need to determine which theory of strikes explains why a strike occurred in the
case you selected.
2. Why might the
measured relative wage effect of unionism not provide a good approximation of
the true absolute wage effect of unionism? What is your opinion? Explain your
answer.
3. Discuss the meaning
of “progressive discipline”. Do you believe that progressive
disciplinary systems work? Why or why not? Please explain your answer.
4. Professors
Wellington and Winter argued that public employee unions would have excessive
bargaining power if extended the right to organize and strike. On what grounds
did they make this argument? Give reasons, in your opinion, why their argument
may be wrong.
