For more than a century, American unions have played an important role in the workplace, striving to improve the working conditions and quality of life of employees. Today, federal laws cover many of the workers’ rights that unions first championed. For this reason, some people believe that unions are no longer necessary. However, as technology changes today’s workplaces, and the workforce evolves with greater diversity and more part-time, gig, and contract workers, union organizers believe they can increase their memberships and become stronger. What do you think?

Assignment

1. Form a “pro” group and a “con” group and join one of them.

2. Debate whether unions will be stronger or weaker in the next 25 years.

3. Record the key points for each side.

4. Summarize what you learned about unions and their usefulness in a report, and state your position on the debated issue.