The American labor force has gone through many changes since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Chapter 12 defines the past and current categories of workers in the labor force and explains the factors that determine how supply and demand influence the labor market.

Labor Unions
The rise of the labor union in the American workforce, the resistance these groups encountered, and the different types of shops they established are explored. This chapter also explains the major issues addressed and the negotiating methods used in collective bargaining, and why collective bargaining has recently declined in importance as a way for workers to achieve their goals.