The weekend. Social security. Health insurance. What do these things have in common? They’re all thanks to the advocacy of labor unions. Political economist Margaret Levi explains how these organizations forge equality and protect worker rights, calling for a 21st-century revival of the labor movement in order to build a more equitable future.
If you love watching TED Talks like this one, become a TED Member to support our mission of spreading ideas:
Follow TED!
Twitter:
Instagram:
Facebook:
LinkedIn:
TikTok:
The TED Talks channel features talks, performances and original series from the world’s leading thinkers and doers. Subscribe to our channel for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.
Watch more: go.ted.com/margaretlevi
TED’s videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy (). For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at
Colonel Kurtz
June 16, 2022 at 1:46 pm
Just so TED viewers are aware: TED put on a double murderer from California who brutally killed an elderly couple. He placed a phone and a cup inside their bodies. He did the TED talk in his prison uniform.
Shame on TED for even considering this idea.
Joe Stocker
June 16, 2022 at 2:05 pm
a very communist opinion
B Whittaker
June 16, 2022 at 3:33 pm
As if that’s a bad thing
mac
June 16, 2022 at 3:50 pm
Learn what communism is.
Alex Saab
June 16, 2022 at 2:09 pm
There is a surge of unionization in my state which is good however the local UFCW union leadership is questionable at best. But I guess a watered down union is better than nothing.
Thankful Lally
June 16, 2022 at 2:10 pm
Great. God bless.
Willful Mystic
June 16, 2022 at 2:18 pm
I think unions are the reason we have very good benefits as workers due to the past efforts. However, all good things come to an end. What the unions have turned into is disturbing specifically government unions (i.e. police, congress, state run mental health facilities, prison systems, and public education, as well as many more).
I have no problem with private industry and healthcare being subject to unionization. But when government agencies are unionized you get lazy workers, backstabbing, back watching, nepotism, and the atrocity of seniority (like in policing and congress) with less able souls gaining unmerited power and control.
I lived this for a part of my life and I cannot express well enough my absolute, abhorrent, disgust with government unions at the Local, State, and Federal level.
Susie Schilling
June 16, 2022 at 2:40 pm
There is good and particularly the history and where it has brought us from the beginning of the century and of course the wages, security, benefits it can offer. However it has been very abused where union workers are protected good or bad workers emphasis on bad. I worked in a college system with contracts, unionized 3 month at a time and the odd not so well paid 3 contracts. I worked hard, dedicated and in gratitude. The full timers don’t like it, makes them look bad because they are non fireable which leaves very little room for good employees or jobs for the contract workers to grow into willing to contribute to the employer and positive productivity. So much abuse by lazy uncaring employees, unfire- able ungrateful individuals. I experienced this for for decades. Good caring management gets bullyied/fired out by the corrupted ones. That’s my personal experience.
So many no governmental companies simple packed up left town, others folded due to this uncaring mentality the has become viral epidemic. Construction in Southern Ontario is so exploited by unions it’s simply veil (my bothers has been a sites manager his whole life the frustrations obtaining good employees os beyond the charts. This ideology of hers is very one sided ideology with no concrete solutions clearly also no clue of the down sides (or at the very least the willingness to explore the realities openly). Rather she should figure out solutions to this metal virus and a way that keeps people on there toes and allows good workers to rise in there positions to work with employers as well as employees. No good workers means companies go out of business or country and in the end everyone pays like for example our absolutely vile house market in Ontario. Average house price 1 million dollars and up. New builds with material, inflation, bad government and over paid useless lazy workers plays a factor.
paul bennett
June 16, 2022 at 2:53 pm
There is no place for unions in 2022.
Average Joe
June 16, 2022 at 11:18 pm
That’s why we should create one
Joseph J
June 16, 2022 at 3:09 pm
I’m going to wear my red glasses today. So there.
David Clark
June 16, 2022 at 3:38 pm
In Economics, a monopoly is the worst system from the buyer’s point of view. Most countries have laws that stop companies from forming monopolies and when monopolies can’t be helped, they regulate their prices. Simply, monopolies are bad for the consumer. Unions, by definition, are a labour monopoly. The result is that some people get more pay (unfairly), for the same work, compared to others. Companies have much less flexibility to business changes. People get promoted based on “time in their chair” rather than performance, etc. Government, by definition, is a monopoly. Almost all government labour is locked in unions (labour monopoly) which results in huge waste of money for taxpayers.
At some point in history, government didn’t regulate minimum wages, days off, overtime pay, vacation pay etc. Unions probably started most of these activities 👏 but all of these work rules are now controlled by the government so why do we need unions? Unions distort wages between union and non-union work. Unions allow certain groups of our society to extort salaries that private enterprise would never allow. People in unions don’t get more money based on merit but on extortion.
Unions are holding us back, not making a better future so 👍 to the demise of all unions. RIP
mac
June 16, 2022 at 3:45 pm
Almost all you said was wrong.
David Clark
June 18, 2022 at 12:44 am
@mac You have a University degree in Economics? So in Economics, a monopoly isn’t the worst system (all other things being equal)?
I can’t say what I dislike about your comment only that I disagree with everything you said! 😊
Peter
June 16, 2022 at 3:48 pm
Strong claims, zero evidence provided… I have no expertice in the subject matter but this is a very unconvincing speech for anyone not already 100 % agreeing beforehand.
CrazyDinosaur
June 17, 2022 at 7:50 pm
look up “nordic unions” and/or “denmark mcdonald’s union”
there you will find your evidence
Bruno M.
June 16, 2022 at 4:12 pm
Comunistas sendo comunistas sempre ……
Average Joe
June 16, 2022 at 11:17 pm
Bella ciao, Bella ciao
Bruno M.
June 16, 2022 at 4:13 pm
Equilibrio entre corporações não é sindicalismo e sim livre mercado / livre iniciativa. Resto é narrativa estupida
YeahRight Whatever Golden_Fire
June 16, 2022 at 5:32 pm
She’s living in the past. Unions have become cash cows.
CrazyDinosaur
June 17, 2022 at 7:52 pm
look up “nordic unions” and/or “denmark mcdonald’s union”
Allen Markham
June 16, 2022 at 5:34 pm
Unions currently seem to exist as a force against companies power and their control over employee paychecks. And as such are often in conflict with companies. One of the changes should be to have the union become the employer and provide well trained workers to the company. Unions should compete against non-union employees by providing better trained employees who need no support from a companies HR and payroll departments. They would necessarily need to help the companies to whom the provide employees to be as successful as possible. Thus balancing the needs of workers and companies to greater achievements than the current advisorial arrangement allows.
Amadi Tempe
June 16, 2022 at 7:56 pm
Can you make a video explaining how beginners can make huge profit within a short period of time? I mean i was at a seminar and the host spoke about making well over $880,000 within 4months of investing $150,000 i just need to know how.
Luca Gheorghe
June 16, 2022 at 7:59 pm
@George Anthony that’s amazing.
Amadi Tempe
June 16, 2022 at 7:59 pm
@George Anthony this is great. i’ve always been told that investing with an expert has it advantage but i have no idea how to find one. so how do i reach him pls?
George Anthony
June 16, 2022 at 7:59 pm
@Amadi Tempe he assist investor by guiding them, look his name up, Alex l orloff, on the internet and send him a message.
Morgan Stefan
June 16, 2022 at 8:00 pm
try Alex l orloff, he is very good. he is way better than other traders i have tried. my portfolio has increased to 270,000 already
Amadi Tempe
June 16, 2022 at 8:00 pm
@Morgan Stefan Ok, just found his website, impressive, Thank you.
Greg Gary
June 17, 2022 at 4:40 am
Dear me seriously? It’s not a terrible script but still a little obvious, no?
Nichole
June 16, 2022 at 9:10 pm
One of the biggest industries that needs a union is retail. Working with the public all day is mentally and physically draining. Only receiving 30-60 break with no benefits. Is someone gets sick, a family emergency, home or car emergency and they are unable to work, majority of them won’t get paid. Employers hire people under a part-time status but given full time hours so as to not have to provide health benefits. People should be paid according to their experience but unfortunately, they are not. Unions would also keep upper management from hiring their “buddies” over someone more qualified, regardless of race or sexual orientation, etc. The years I spent in retail and always had the same statement arise in my mind with every employer was “it doesn’t have to be this way”. Meaning that the chaos that is rampant in retail, doesn’t have to be there.
Wife of Lurch
June 17, 2022 at 1:55 pm
And a larger sector that needs unions ARE NURSES.
William P
June 16, 2022 at 9:11 pm
I don’t disagree with the benefits that unions have provided, however, too many of us have a distaste for them due to the corruption endemic to unions like the Teamsters.
j
June 16, 2022 at 9:24 pm
What labor union? There is a direct correlation between a dismal middle class and the abolishment of unions. Thanks Ronald Regan
Clyde Lindsay
June 16, 2022 at 9:45 pm
I’ve been in a union for twenty four years now.
Luiz Esmiralha
June 16, 2022 at 10:24 pm
If the unionization rate today was the same as in the 50s I doubt I would even have a cell phone to make fun of this video.
Average Joe
June 16, 2022 at 11:16 pm
But you would have a living wage
Average Joe
June 17, 2022 at 3:33 pm
@Luiz Esmiralha
Dude, who cares about these wars? They happened 100 years ago. How is this relevant? The topic isn’t about comparing time periods.
The topic is the following. Given the ongoing inflation, the aftermath of the 08 economic crisis and pandemic which are steadily making our lives worse and worse. How do we
a) maintain or improve the standard of living that we had pre-pandemic or even pre 2008
b) how do we increase our negotiating leverage with our employers in order to further improve our wages/benefits and working conditions?
In my opinion labor unions can drastically help towards these very important goals.
What do you think?
Luiz Esmiralha
June 17, 2022 at 4:45 pm
@Average Joe I dispute that. I don’t see the causal correlation between unionization rate and standards of living. Can you show it to me?
Average Joe
June 17, 2022 at 4:52 pm
@Luiz Esmiralha
Yes, basically unions significantly increase leverage and bargaining power with employers.
It’s a united we stand divided we fall kind of thing
Luiz Esmiralha
June 17, 2022 at 4:57 pm
@Average Joe I understand your argument, but is it backed up by real data? Like, throughout history, during periods when more laborers were unionized, did the standard of living increase faster, at the same rate or slower?
Average Joe
June 17, 2022 at 5:31 pm
@Luiz Esmiralha
Great question…
In the late 1800s and early 1900s unions vastly improved wages, benefits and working conditions. Their struggle was pretty nasty and bloody as well!!
For example they are the reason we don’t have child labor anymore is unions pressuring Western governments to ban it.
Nowadays in Europe, in places like Germany, France, Sweden etc labor have managed to provide their members with better wages, health insurance, paid leave.
Just compare the standard of living between the the average American laborer to his German counterpart.
The difference is vast
Luiz Esmiralha
June 18, 2022 at 1:41 pm
@Average Joe I can provide you a counterexample. In my country, union membership is MANDATORY. By the way, every employee used to forcibly “contribute” 1 day of work per year to his union.
So, 100% of workers are unionized and the large unions had funds. Now, what we have in my country? A minimum wage of about 220 dollars and slums the size of Chicago.
Luiz Esmiralha
June 18, 2022 at 2:06 pm
@Average Joe What I know is that the huge slums were formed AFTER the mandatory unionization. And that the percentage of formal jobs went way down after the same laws. So, much more people are now out of the formal job market after the laws forced formal employees to be union members. These people now get by selling smuggled counterfeit electronics in the streets, driving Ubers and working for the Narcs. I am a union member and I am on a high skill market. What my union does is getting the contributed money and using it to build resorts where the average joe can’t book a stay because they are booked all over the year for the UNION LEADERS and their “compadres”.
Average Joe
June 18, 2022 at 2:19 pm
@Luiz Esmiralha
Yeah sure your country doesn’t have a drug problem. Yeah sure buddy keep telling yourself that.
Luiz Esmiralha
June 18, 2022 at 2:38 pm
@Average Joe The problem exists, it is serious, but it is not our main problem. Our main problem is a HUGE state that tries to control every aspect of our economy. Example: instead of giving poor people money for healthcare and education, they prefer to build and operate hospitals and universities and make them “free” for all. Of course, because this way you have more power and control.
TED +①⑤①⓪④⑦⑨⓪⓪⑤②
June 16, 2022 at 11:17 pm
THANKS FOR WATCHING AS ALWAYS 🔗
Ensure to text right now via WhatsApp line above, I’ve got something really big to introduce you to, I’m sure you would love to be part of it🔗
BC Backer +①⑤①⓪④⑦⑨⓪⓪⑤②
June 16, 2022 at 11:17 pm
THANKS FOR WATCHING AS ALWAYS 🔗
Ensure to text right now via WhatsApp line above, I’ve got something really big to introduce you to, I’m sure you would love to be part of it🔗
Greg Gary
June 16, 2022 at 11:24 pm
At the beginning of the industrial revolution, employers (if they could be called that) & government had all the power.
Unions came out of the 30’s & grew in power through the 60’s and 70’s.
In the 80’s corporations began gradually working politically to reduce union power. That started with Regan.
In the 2000’s that came to fruition as corporations gained more political control & made it very difficult for unions to be effective.
Now there is a union resurgence and it’s necessary & can have an impact IF union members are wary of who is running things.
That said, the real economic & political power today is in the hands of the consumer. Governments & corporations are completely addicted to cooperative consumer behaviour.
There are no consumer unions yet. There may never be. But imagine the power they could wield.
Tina B
June 19, 2022 at 12:23 pm
Hi Greg, I had never really considered a consumer union as an option – people often dismiss the power of the consumer, or rather, the individual consumer’s power. Do you maybe have any resources on how such a union might be structured, and what functions it might fulfill? Or if you have the time, just share your thoughts on the matter. I am very intrigued by this concept, as I am both vegan (which is cooperative/collective consumer action!) and from a country that has functioning labour unions (though, being dismantled more and more)
Greg Gary
June 20, 2022 at 3:25 am
@Tina B Hi Tina, I have some ideas but no resources to point you to really, it’s just that I see an incredible power base being totally misunderstood/ignored.
I’m at a stage in my life where I’m unlikely to take up organizing such a thing but I nonetheless believe it’s perfectly viable.
traditional unions are comparatively narrowly focused whereas an organized consumer base would not be limited to fighting for only working wages & conditions.
I have some tactics in mind & have thought about some of the problems but it’s a bit much to lay out here.
If you want more let me know and I’ll see about an email account you can use.
BTW – my life partner is WFPB. I’m being nudged I that direction but not quite there yet. We’ll see lol
Stephen Espinoza jimenez
June 17, 2022 at 12:29 am
Perfect subject I’m currently unemployed and looking for work but get no reply on my applications if anyone has work I will greatly appreciate it I uploaded a video explaining my current situation thanks for the always nutrient full info ted blessings to everyone
Shanthi Rutvin
June 17, 2022 at 7:11 am
True inspiration
Vishaura Channel
June 17, 2022 at 7:36 am
Informative one!
基拉
June 17, 2022 at 9:22 am
发展这么多年，反而没人加入，这就说明在现行资本主义体制下，工会是根本与其向背。改开后的中国即便是人人都参加工会，但是他的作用是却很小，由此可以证明。更甚者某些黄色工会是两头盘剥。
并且我想说第二点，视频列举的这些成就，哪一项是单靠工会可以实现的？劳工情况恶化就是一个社会阶段的问题，甚至可能是周期性的，除非像苏联一样跳脱出去。
STAY
June 19, 2022 at 3:45 pm
你是对的
🇬█ 𝔎𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑚 𝔎alisari│
June 17, 2022 at 9:23 am
Each of us has a role to play in protecting our planet 🌎🌍🌏
🇬█ 𝔎𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑚 𝔎alisari│
June 17, 2022 at 9:24 am
Maybe yes! 🤔 *TED* ✓
🤔”The cause of women’s EMANCIPATION is part of our national STRUGGLE against outdated practices and prejudices. It is a STRUGGLE that demands EQUAL effort from both MEN and WOMEN alike.”
─ NelsonMandela
katherandefy
June 17, 2022 at 11:53 am
Well where we live here in South Carolina the reason that unions don’t work is very simple. A law called right to work means that it’s illegal to picket. That law was instituted in 1954. So we’ve been dealing with that ever since.
Luiz Esmiralha
June 17, 2022 at 12:18 pm
When you have 50 stopping 500 from working it’s called coercion.
katherandefy
June 19, 2022 at 2:53 am
And when you have 500 stopping 50 from negotiating for a living wage you have loads more wheel spinning for most of the sum total of 550 workers to make the same low wage and there are only so many spots for advancing to better pay. So yeh changing jobs only goes so far since employers and large companies and shareholders all insist on keeping wages 40 years behind the times. When you do advance for better pay it might only be promotion for title not better money. So wear that feather in our caps. It is the same as teachers handing out gold stars for participation pats on the head.
Gaasuba Meskhenet
June 17, 2022 at 9:15 pm
It was unity that saved us from oppression
Darla Love
June 18, 2022 at 12:09 am
Labor unions suck. Stay out of my business.
Average Joe
June 18, 2022 at 1:21 pm
Does the idea of giving your employees fair wages trigger you? 🥺
Luiz Esmiralha
June 18, 2022 at 2:16 pm
So they had to call Hermione’s granny to charm us into believing that unions are our saviors. You need really strong magic for that.
Dominatrix97
June 18, 2022 at 6:06 pm
We don’t need the freaking American dream! We need a revolution! Workers of the world, unite and unionise!
gerardo gutiérrez beraud
June 18, 2022 at 8:27 pm
It is a real shame that people these days does not want to build a society. We can only expect the worst to happen.
暗香晚风
June 18, 2022 at 10:51 pm
看了你几个影片，果然非等闲之辈
Denis Brnjas
June 19, 2022 at 6:42 pm
Labor unions. What is that ? That’s a thing of the bygone era. Now we have HR or human resources who combat workers who would form unions. Western world is on the fast track to calamity. Greed will eat them.
Bo Duholm
June 19, 2022 at 7:07 pm
In Scandinavia, we have unions; in my opinion, they should be tamed. Unions basically just closed down the Scandinavian Airlines. That is government-backed. Sweden just sold all their shares. There is a strike warning from the pilots. So, in my opinion. Unions are necessary, but they need to adapt to modern life.
cybersekkin
June 20, 2022 at 3:54 am
I don’t trust unions much more than corps these days.
Yithmaster
June 21, 2022 at 4:49 am
The Simpsons called it best the became to greedy and were eatin alive by not the Japanese but the Chinese
Lori-Ann Burlingame
June 21, 2022 at 4:55 pm
Maragret Levi’s TED Talk about unions was excellent. As a former labor relations specialist, I am not against unions. However, I have no love loss for union or nonunion workers that do not respect boundaries, safety regulations, or policies that were put in place to protect them.