Annotated Bibliography -- Unions and Strikes

English
Bleich, Rabbi J. David, “Organized Labor,” “Contemporary Halakhic Problems, Volume I.” New York: Ktav Publishing House, Yeshiva University Press, (1977) pp. 186-189. This article, summarizing an article in a Hebrew halakhic journal, records the late Israeli Chief Rabbi Kook’s oral response to a head of the Mizrahi party in the ‘30s about strikes. Rav Kook affirmed the right for workers to strike and forbade strikebreaking, but emphasized the requirement for labor to refer their claims to a beit din, a halakhic court, before striking. The article also mentions that the halakha would confirm the need to compensate workers during the period they were on strike in societies where this is common practice.

Bleich, Rabbi J. David, “Teachers’ Unions,” “Contemporary Halakhic Problems, Volume II.” New York: Ktav Publishing House, Yeshiva University Press, (1983) pp. 111-113. In Kislev 5741 (1980) Torah Umesorah, the American Association of Yeshivot and Day Schools, prohibited its member teachers from joining secular teacher’s unions whose policies are not necessarily in line with those of the halakha. Rabbi Bleich, saw the need to present the halakhic perspective on a teacher’s strike by summarizing two halakhic rulings on the issue – that of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, zt”l (Iggerot Moshe, Choshen Mishpat #59) and that of the Tel Aviv Rabbinical Court (Piskei Din shel Batei ha-Din ha-Rabbanim, VIII, 160-161). Rav Feinstein rules that because of the sanctions against interrupting the Torah study of youth, their right to strike is severely limited. When, however, they are driven by “pain and poverty”, not only is the strike permissible, but they are entitled to wage compensation.

Tamari, Dr. Meir, “Trade Unions,” With All Your Possessions: Jewish Ethics and Professional Life.” New York: The Free Press, (1987) 149-158. In this section of the book’s chapter on wages and labor Dr. Tamari deals with unions and strikes from a number of perspectives: moral and halakhic, economic and historical. He traces the history of Jewish trade unions and guilds, outlining the pros and cons of organized labor – insuring quality merchandise and protecting workers but opening the labor market up to the dangers of monopoly and restrained competition. On strikes: Dr. Tamari surveys the responsa literature, pointing out how halakhic authorities emphasize the need for arbitration in labor conflicts and the prohibition against violence – either against people or property – during strikes.

Hebrew
Desberg, Uri, “Shvitat Ovdim al pi Ha-Halakha (Worker’s Strikes according to the Halakha),” in Techumin vol. 5. Alon Shvut, Israel: Tzomet, (1985) 295-300. This comprehensive bibliography summarizes the Hebrew halakhic literature on labor strikes, beginning with a 5633 (1872) responsum concerning a strike by ritual slaughterers aimed at improving salaries and ending with the late Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Halevi’s 5745 (1985) article on the limitations on doctors during a labor dispute. Every article is succinctly summarized.

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from ArIeh Lebowitz -- Worker Rights and Jewish Law and Tradition
bibliography from the Jewish Labor Committee