Attitudes of "Progressive" Trade-Union Leaders

Abstract

The roles of husband and father subject the "progressive" trade-union leader to conflicting demands. This problem may be resolved either by the redefining of his roles as leader or husband-father or the relinquishing of them. Such conflicts, however, appear to operate within limits set by the whole social structure. During the war the improvement in the labor market increased the prestige of the major social norms, particularly the goal of individual success, conventionally obtained. Thus, there was relatively less pressure on the leaders to conform to the deviant value-system of their union.