Dual unionism is the development of a union or political organization parallel to and within an existing
labor union. In some cases, the term may refer to the situation where two unions claim the right to organize the same workers.
Dual unionism is sometimes considered to be destructive of the solidarity essential to the orderly functioning of labor unions and the exercise of their power vis-a-vis the employer.
Many countries outlaw dual unionism in their national, state or local labor relations acts. Many unions also outlaw dual unionism as part of their constitutions.
However, some labor unions and political organizations advocate dual unionism as a means of survival or as a strategy for winning political power. The
Industrial Workers of the World
The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), members of which are commonly termed "Wobblies", is an international labor union that was founded in Chicago in 1905. The origin of the nickname "Wobblies" is uncertain. IWW ideology combines general ...
, for example, advocates dual unionism (although the behavior is called 'dual cardism'). Such organizations and/or unions argue that dual unionism may be compatible with the goals of the union and therefore not a hindrance to the union. Labor parties which incorporate unions into their structures and
social movement unionism, it is argued, are examples where political organizations coexist constructively with unions.
The distinction between dual unionism and mere internal politics is often not clear. Many unions have political factions or caucuses which disagree on the policies, finances, values and goals of the union. But internal politics rarely rise to the level of dual unionism. In certain cases, where the situation is unclear, whether an action actually constitutes dual unionism must be resolved politically (e.g., by the exercise of power) within the union.
Examples
In the United States,
communists
Communism (from Latin la, communis, lit=common, universal, label=none) is a far-left sociopolitical, philosophical, and economic ideology and current within the socialist movement whose goal is the establishment of a communist society, a s ...
,
socialists
Socialism is a left-wing economic philosophy and movement encompassing a range of economic systems characterized by the dominance of social ownership of the means of production as opposed to private ownership. As a term, it describes the eco ...
and other political organizations have been accused of engaging in dual unionism. The controversy over the
Communist Party USA-sponsored
Trade Union Educational League
The Trade Union Educational League (TUEL) was established by William Z. Foster in 1920 (through 1928) as a means of uniting radicals within various trade unions for a common plan of action. The group was subsidized by the Communist Internationa ...
's role within the
American Federation of Labor (AFL) is an example of whether dual unionism occurred. Although rarely stated as such, the ejection by the
American Federation of Teachers
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is the second largest teacher's labor union in America (the largest being the National Education Association). The union was founded in Chicago. John Dewey and Margaret Haley were founders.
About 60 per ...
of several locals in the 1930s for communist domination and factionalism is another example of a struggle over dual unionism.
Another example of dual unionism is the suspension by the AFL in August 1936 of the unions which formed the
Committee for Industrial Organization
A committee or commission is a body of one or more persons subordinate to a deliberative assembly. A committee is not itself considered to be a form of assembly. Usually, the assembly sends matters into a committee as a way to explore them more ...
(CIO). AFL president
William Green accused the CIO unions of engaging in dual unionism. The charge was never adequately outlined, and the CIO denied the accusation. The AFL resorted to patently illegal means to eject the unions of the CIO (an example of the way in which political power often is the deciding factor in whether an act constitutes dual unionism).
[Phelan, Craig. ''William Green: Biography of a Labor Leader.'' Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1989. ]
See also
*
Labor federation competition in the United States Labor federation competition in the United States is a history of the labor movement, considering U.S. labor organizations and federations that have been regional, national, or international in scope, and that have united organizations of disparate ...
Notes
{{Organized labor
Trade unions
Industrial Workers of the World