Beneficiary Libri GmbH Beneficiary Features of American Trade Unions Paperback

The work provides an in-depth examination of the development and implementation of beneficiary systems practiced by American trade unions, particularly focusing on aspects such as mutual insurance and financial benefit programs. Kennedy analyzes the evolution of these features, contrasting their growth in the U.S. with their more rapid establishment in England and Germany. The opening of the work introduces the historical context ofAmerican trade unions, outlining their gradual adoption of beneficiary functions from the early 19th century through to the late 1800s. It discusses the initial reluctance to develop such systems due to limited resources and the prioritization of trade regulation needs. The text also sets up a framework for analyzing future chapters by explaining the classification of the unions' beneficiary activities into distinct periods, indicating a shift towards more structured support mechanisms as unions recognized the importance of benefits in both member retention and operational success.Legally the distinction lies in the fact that in the case of insurance a signed contract known as a policy is given to the insured, while in the case of a benefit no policy is issued. This difference is not of economic importance. Ordinarily, however, where a trade union issues insurance policies to its members the amount paid is larger than in the case of a death benefit. The establishment of insurance systems has thus been confined to a few organizations. The membership of these unions receive relatively high wages and are regularly employed. The highly important rôle which insurance systems have played in the formation and working of these unions and the general similarity of their experiences make it desirable to treat insurance against death and disability separately from the more common death benefits. The unions which have been successful in establishing insurance systems are the seven principal unions of railway employees, viz., the Grand Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the Order of Railway Conductors.