Detroit Today: Unionized Starbucks workers still haven’t negotiated contracts
Marick Masters, a union expert at Wayne State University, thinks more government oversight is needed to ensure contracts are negotiated within a reasonable time.
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A year ago, labor supporters were thrilled when Amazon and Starbucks workers created unions at their respective workplaces. It gave a declining labor movement renewed hope — believing that maybe the future would be different and more optimistic.
This seemed particularly true as Generation Z is the most pro-union generation in America. And while there’s still excitement and energy in today’s labor movement, there have not been many wins — specifically with regards to achieving new, bargained contracts for unionized workers.
Listen: How the labor movement has changed in the last year.
Guest
Marick Masters is the chair of the Department of Finance at Wayne State University, a professor of management and adjunct professor of political science. He is an expert on organized labor.
Masters says there aren’t enough protections for unions. He says he supports the Pro Act and that companies need to be forced to negotiate contracts with employees within a certain time period.
“I think there has to be some sort of a trigger that forces the parties to negotiate,” says Masters.
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