a. Why might some workers want to have a labor union in an auto manufacturing plant? Why might
other workers in the plant prefer not to have a labor union? What information can you acquire to help you decide whether to support the formation of a labor union in an auto plant? If you worked in the plant, would you support a union? Explain.
b. What is a right-to-work state? What are the arguments in support of a right-to-work law? What are the arguments against a right-to-work law? Do you support or oppose such laws? Explain the reasons for your answer.
c. If city sanitation workers have had the same low salaries for five years and city leaders refuse to increase them, should the workers have the right to strike? Give the reasons for your decision. If a public strike is illegal in their state, what else can the workers do to try to get the city to increase their wages? d. Should any public employees be allowed to strike? Is your answer different depending on the jobs they do—for example, police officers, firefighters, schoolteachers, government clerks, or maintenance workers at city hall? Explain the reasons for your answer.
a. What is the purpose of OSHA? How does it work? Some say that people are safer at work than in their cars. Do you think this is true? If so, is OSHA needed, or is it an example of overregulation by the government?
b. Jack works in a factory where there are strong fumes in the air. He and other workers cough a lot on the job. Jack complains to OSHA. He is laid off by the factory manager, who says the company has lost money due to the cost of controlling the fumes as ordered by OSHA. What actions can Jack take?
c. Are state laws and local ordinances that prohibit smoking in office buildings a reasonable way to protect nonsmokers or an unreasonable interference with the rights of smokers? Give your reasons.
