Security of job tenure and trade-union out-of-work benefits, 1926-1929 and 1930-1933

Development of out-of-work benefits by trade unions in the United States has been predominantly local in character and negligible in coverage. The appearance of this practice in early workers' organizations in this country may be traced to the influence of transplanted European traditions; but conditions here were not as propitious as in Europe for its widespread acceptance. The American trade-union movement has been preoccupied with defending its right to exist and develop. Generally, unemployment benefit plans were not established unless the union was assured control of the job. Benefit periods of plans in existence from 1926 to 1929, principally located in printing and allied trades, covered seasonal risks; but rates rarely amounted to the accepted standard of 50percent of earnings. In the event of prolonged unemployment, even strongly entrenched unions were unable to maintain adequate plans. Nevertheless, during the 1930 to 1933 period, photo-engravers and electrotypers- highly skilled craftsmen in trades where the machine had made few inroads- were able to levy assessments high enough to cover depression risks adequately.