Big labor
Encyclopedia
Big labor is a term used to describe large organized labor union
s, particularly in the United States
.
The term is almost always used in a negative or derisive sense; union members are almost never likely to say that they are proud to be a part of "big labor", preferring the term "organized labor"; conversely conservative
and right-wing libertarian
labor union critics are equally unlikely to refer to "organized labor" and almost invariably use the term "big labor", usually in conjunction with the equally-derisive epithet
"big government
", portraying them as either twin evils, or one as the handmaiden of the other.
The term "big labor" in the U.S. is particularly applied to the AFL-CIO
and its constituent unions; smaller, independent unions are less likely to be categorized by their opponents and critics as being representative of "big labor", although they are far from immune. The term "Neo-corporatism" has been used to describe three-way bargaining between government, labor unions and big business.
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s, particularly in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The term is almost always used in a negative or derisive sense; union members are almost never likely to say that they are proud to be a part of "big labor", preferring the term "organized labor"; conversely conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
and right-wing libertarian
Libertarianism
Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...
labor union critics are equally unlikely to refer to "organized labor" and almost invariably use the term "big labor", usually in conjunction with the equally-derisive epithet
Epithet
An epithet or byname is a descriptive term accompanying or occurring in place of a name and having entered common usage. It has various shades of meaning when applied to seemingly real or fictitious people, divinities, objects, and binomial nomenclature. It is also a descriptive title...
"big government
Big government
Big government is a term generally used by political conservatives, laissez-faire advocates, or libertarians to describe a government or public sector which they consider to be excessively large, corrupt and inefficient, or inappropriately involved in certain areas of public policy or the private...
", portraying them as either twin evils, or one as the handmaiden of the other.
The term "big labor" in the U.S. is particularly applied to the AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
and its constituent unions; smaller, independent unions are less likely to be categorized by their opponents and critics as being representative of "big labor", although they are far from immune. The term "Neo-corporatism" has been used to describe three-way bargaining between government, labor unions and big business.
See also
- AuthoritarianismAuthoritarianismAuthoritarianism is a form of social organization characterized by submission to authority. It is usually opposed to individualism and democracy...
- Big businessBig BusinessBig business is a term used to describe large corporations, in either an individual or collective sense. The term first came into use in a symbolic sense subsequent to the American Civil War, particularly after 1880, in connection with the combination movement that began in American business at...
- Big governmentBig governmentBig government is a term generally used by political conservatives, laissez-faire advocates, or libertarians to describe a government or public sector which they consider to be excessively large, corrupt and inefficient, or inappropriately involved in certain areas of public policy or the private...