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May 22 2012

How Labor Unions Work

49 min 3 movies discussed
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Yes, it's true: Unions have a shady mob-related past and were originally championed by anarchists. Born from medieval trade guilds, these organizations also helped grow the American economy, and not only protected but established workers' rights.

AI Summary

In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck dive into the world of labor unions, sparked by the 2011 Wisconsin protests over Governor Scott Walker's efforts to strip collective bargaining rights from public employees. They explore the fascinating history of organized labor from medieval trade guilds through the Industrial Revolution's often violent strikes, explaining how unions work today and examining both their benefits and criticisms. The hosts present compelling statistics about union vs. non-union wages and benefits while discussing key legislation, famous labor leaders like Jimmy Hoffa, and the ongoing debate about whether unions help or hurt the American economy.


Movies Discussed

American Psycho
American Psycho
2000 1h 42m
★ 7.4
"the secret of my success or American psycho — Josh references this as another movie that exemplified the 1980s mentality of aggressive capitalism and wealth pursuit." — Josh
The Secret of My Success
The Secret of My Success
1987 1h 51m
★ 6.5
"the secret of my success or American psycho — Josh mentions this as an example of 1980s movies that depicted the era's focus on wealth and materialism." — Josh
The Simpsons
The Simpsons
1989
★ 8.0
"That is just a stereotype. Yeah, but stereotypes are there for a reason, right? It's not funny. It's not funny. — Chuck references a Simpsons episode where Homer tries to out-lazy the Teamsters during a Radioactive Man film shoot." — Chuck

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