Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarship Practice Exam

What did the term "scab" specifically refer to in labor disputes?

1. Union organizers

2. Strikebreakers

3. Labor advocates

4. Wage negotiators

The correct answer is: Strikebreakers

The term "scab" specifically refers to individuals who continue to work or are hired to replace striking workers during a labor dispute. This practice undermines the efforts of the striking workers, who are typically seeking better working conditions, wages, or other improvements through collective action. Strikebreakers often take on roles that would have been filled by the striking employees, thereby diluting the impact of the strike and making it more difficult for the union to achieve its goals. In the context of labor relations, the presence of scabs can intensify conflicts between union members and management, as strikers often view them as traitors to their cause. This terminology is rooted in the history of labor movements, where solidarity among workers is a fundamental principle, and scabs are seen as disrupting that unity. Other terms like union organizers, labor advocates, and wage negotiators refer to roles that support or represent workers' rights and interests, rather than opposing them through strikebreaking actions.