Challenges of the Modern
Labor Movement
Norma Rae, Hoffa, even The Grapes of Wrath are movies that many of us have seen. If
you haven’t seen Norma Rae there is still a pretty good chance you have seen a movie still that
shows Sally Field holding up a sign that simply says Union. That was a powerful scene and that
is what most envisions when they hear the name Norma Rae. The movie Hoffa explored the
abuses that led to the formation of unions as well as the union abuses that led to their frequent
investigation by the federal government. Hoffa was criticized for its rose-tinted portrayal of the
famed union organizer. The Grapes of Wrath takes us back to the 1940’s giving us a glimpse at
the plight of displaced tenant farmers from Oklahoma or “Okies” desperately struggling for
living wages and collective bargaining in California’s produce fields. All three of those movies
portray a role unions played in our country’s history. We see the challenges that they faced and
although they were glamourized on the big screen, there is still some truth and learning material
in the movies.
Modern labor movements face several challenges. Some are the same trials and
tribulations that labor has struggled with over the last century. Others are new and unique and
change as swiftly as political policies and modern economy. Many factors have led to the
challenges that unions now face such as changing demographics, government regulations, the
mix of private sector and public sector jobs unionized, outsourcing, global markets and
competition and the changing job market.
When we look at the changing demographics of our workforce we see a rapidly
