Brian Duffy Introduction As I pursue a career in the business field there is a lot to be learned whether its basic knowledge,

certain strategies or even touching up on my current events. Id like to focus mainly on management and industrial relations as I grow closer and closer to graduating from UCF. In the early stages of my career I imagine I will spend a lot of time in a factory or small office setting around a factory. Its something that Ive always wanted to do; leadership is one of my strongest characteristics. With all of this in mind I decided to research labor unions today and if they still remain effective. Most of the members of a factory are a part of some union in order to secure increased wages and fair working environments, with such unions, working in a factory could be very challenging. With the aid of several types of research, my topic is shaping up nicely. Using several Internet based sources has given me a vast amount of different points of view on labor unions. There are arguments for both sides of the effectiveness of labor unions. Even though I have a set opinion and will argue that unions have served their purpose and their abuses outweigh their effectiveness, it is helpful to get both sides of the story. In addition to Internet sources I also included a peer-reviewed journal that I found on the UCF library tool called One Search. This is a scholarly report that was done that helps add variety to my sources. The third and final type of source I used was a field study source. I conducted an interview with my father who has both been apart of a union and now is a member of a corporation that frequently deals with labor unions. (For Full interview view Appendix A). Finally Id like to reach out to members of unions or blue collars workers and let them know why my research is so relevant. As unions grow more and more power hungry we have developed a lot of negative repercussions, the list goes on and on. Though there are several unions out there that serve a purpose the vast majority have out run their effectiveness, and this is what id like to prove. Research Map Main Idea Unions served their purpose but the abuses outweigh the benefits in todays global economy. Companies are not just confined to the US for workers like they were in the 1950s. Research Questions 1. What impact have unions had on our nations manufacturing base? 2. Why have unions focused on organizing low skilled workers like janitors, security guards and casino workers? 3. What population of US workforce have unions represented over the past 6-7 decades? 4. Why do companies seek low cost countries to make things? Research Phrases 1. Manufacturing Base

Brian Duffy 2. Teamsters 3. Unions 4. Right to work states 5. Low cost countries 6. Laborers Type of Research Library research (older sources) Internet research Field research. (Interview of my father and co workers, any professors involved in a union, my uncle who is in the brick layers union) Free weekends for Assignment (Deadline) Events Conflicts work Workshop Draft 1 Research Paper (3/31/14) Trip to Auburn for Lax (2/22-2/24) 31-Mar 8-Mar Workshop Draft 2 Research Paper (4/9/14) Trip to Miami for Lax (3/22-3/24) 15-Mar Workshop Draft 3 Research Paper (4/11/14) Trip to Texas for Lax (3/28-3/31) 15-Feb Workshop Draft Reflection (4/16/14) Trip to Gainesville for Lax (4/4) Final Draft Argumentative Research Paper (4/16/14) E- Portfolios (4/23/14)

Annotated Bibliography MacKechnie, Chris. "Issues With Labor Unions." Small Business. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. MacKechnie received a bachelors degree in Biology and English from the University of Michigan and a law degree from university of Ontario. Seems to be a very credible source but provides his biased opinion on issues on labor unions such as job stability, pension protection, and collective bargaining. The article is not very long but it is different than all the other sources and was written in 2014. Hamlet, Kenneth. "How Do Labor Unions Work?" Small Business. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. The online source Chron.com doesnt provide the lengthiest responses but it puts a difficult topic into more simple terms. This source focuses on how unions work such as strikes, collective bargaining, and legislation. Background information is the first step to creating a research paper. I had a basic idea of labor unions but these short and too the point responses helped me better understand unions. The author Kenneth Hamlet serves as a Co-Managing Member of Monalex Partners, LLC. Mr. Hamlet has been a Senior Advisor at Crestview Partners, L.P. since July 2010.

Brian Duffy Mr. Hamlet serves as Vice Chairman and President of Affinity Squared, Inc. He serves as the President of Knowledge Universe Executive Education and Conferences LLC. After further looking into all companies it proves that Hamlet is clearly credible because of his vast business and investment involvement. "Union Plus." Labor Unions Today. Union Plus, n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2014. This is the front page of the union website today, giving a solid background on the importance and benefits of unions. Having this extreme opinion directly from a primary source is beneficial to choosing a side. This is as one sided as any source will be, but all points made are valid. The author is unknown as it was anonymously written for the main page of Unionplus. Com. Very few other sites have this credibility because this is the official website of Unions. Sherk, James. "Do Americans Today Still Need Labor Unions?" The Heritage Foundation. N.p., 1 Apr. 2008. Web. 23 Feb. 2014. This article gives a completely different point of view than the previous ones because it states that we no longer need unions today. This article is opinionated but this is what I'm looking for, I want viewpoints from every possible angle. The author James Sherk is the senior policy analyst in labor economics for the Heritage Foundation. His commentary and analysis have appeared in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Times, Business Week and Roll Call. CNN, Fox News Channel, CNBC and PBS are among TV news outlets to feature his analysis of pressing labor issues. McClain, Shawn. "Negatives of Labor Unions." EHow. Demand Media, 24 May 2010. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. This gives more and more negatives of labor unions today such as reduction of market value in companies, corruption of power in unions leaders, and loses of blue-collar jobs. This source however may not be written by the most qualified member of society but it still brings a new opinion to the table which is what I am looking for. I plan on focusing heavily on my audience. Shawn McClain has spent over 15 years as a journalist covering technology, business, culture and the arts. He has published numerous articles in both national and local publications, and online at various websites. Messerli, Joe. "BalancedPolitics.org." - Unions (Pros & Cons, Arguments For and Against, Advantages & Disadvantages). Balanced Politics, 1 July 2012. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. This is my favorite source because it provides a list of both pros and cons of labor unions.

Brian Duffy After the list, a description of every item is provided. I found this late in my research but honestly if I could choose one source to write an entire paper on I would use this. Joe Messerli graduated from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in '96 with degrees in Finance and Management Computer System. He has since accumulated over 240 college credits in various fields including psychology, history, law, medicine, economics, and accounting. "The Union Advantage: Facts and Figures." SEIU.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2014.

This is the first source that provides qualitative data about unions. Everything from number of people represented by unions whether its men or women to median weekly earning of those in a union. All the numbers and percentages put everything into perspective and just add to the variety of information that I am looking for to complete my research. There is no clear-cut author hear but it is written by the Service Employees International Union and the website ends in org which provides a bit more of credibility. "What Are the Benefits of Being a Union Worker?" UWUA Utility Workers Union of America AFLCIO. Utility Workers Union of America, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. This again just provides a different opinion about the pros of a union. Even though I may not actually quote this article in my final paper it is still helpful to keep the opposing opinions in mind so that I am not entirely biased. The workers union of America website provided a short abstract about the positives of joining their union. This is an official organization so they are credible. Jilani, Zaid. "REPORT: Five Things Unions Have Done For All Americans." ThinkProgress RSS. Think Progress, 5 Mar. 2011. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. This is source is different then every other because it gives us five huge things that unions have done for America in the past. For example theyve given us weekends, and fair wages and relative income policies. There are a three more topics discussed that I have never thought about and changed my opinion a little bit. If I were to pick one article that persuaded me towards favoring unions it be this one. Zaid Jilani is a Senior Reporter/Blogger for ThinkProgress.org at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. Zaid grew up in Kennesaw, GA, and holds a B.A. in International Affairs with a minor in Arabic from the University of Georgia. This is definitely a credible author. Duffy, Robert. Personal Interview. Feb. 22, 2014.

Brian Duffy This was a personal field interview I did with my father who has been in a union and also deals with them on a daily basis. He works for Harris Corporation and is constantly battling with union leaders. In the interview his credibility is provided along with his opinions. This interview was very helpful when creating a thesis. Appendix A Personal Interview with Robert L. Duffy Senior Vice President Human Resources & Administration @ Harris Corporation Q1: Could you provide your background and experience with Labor Unions? A1: Growing up in NJ, as the son of a unionized bricklayer and future International Union Representative I have been exposed to the ups and downs of unions. Ironically after serving a Bricklayers apprentice in the Union, I went off to college and received a degree in Human Resources with a concentration in Industrial Relations. Since that time I have been the Chief Spokesperson in several Labor/Management negations and even led the lockout of the (United Auto Workers) UAW due to the need for extensive changes in Healthcare. Q2: What was one of your most difficult transitions from being a union member to representing Management? A2: The biggest challenge and most difficult adjustment for me was not dealing with difficult employees or disciplining poor performers but managing restructuring programs, which involved moving union jobs from the US to low cost locations in Mexico, Eastern Europe and Asia. I struggled to see hard working, dedicated skilled workers like my Dad lose their jobs to global competition and the need for companies to be cost competitive. I couldnt argue with the decision to have employees outside the US perform the same work for $.90 an hour that US workers were receiving $28 plus full medical and dental benefits. Q3: I have learned that Union membership has declined steadily over the past two decades; do you see this decline reversing itself any time soon? A3: Unfortunately I do not. As our world becomes more global and trade restrictions are lifted it will be easier and easier to secure goods and services in locations with lower wages and much more flexibility than in historically unionized cities and states. I do think work will return to the US but more in Right to Work States and non-union locations. Companies and workers no longer want a third party in between them to facilitate their wages, working conditions and personal safety. Q4: What drove this decline beyond wages? A4: Workforce flexibility, Healthcare and a Companys need to compete were probably the major drivers. Technology and automation as well as a continuous focus on Productivity were also drivers. Machines replaced people and companies were looking for ways to do more with less. Q5: How about Union leaders? I have read about the abuse of Power and corruption as an issue. A5: I actually believe that it depends on the individual Union leader and the actual International Union. I have been fairly fortunate to partner with some very ethical, upstanding union leaders. Perhaps they played favorites with members who are loyal and help them get elected but rarely did I see abuse of Power or corruption in my dealings.

Brian Duffy Much of it is helping the union understand the need for flexibility or change. The more you communicate the easier it is for people to digest change.