Today's labor movement in the areas of human relations, business and industry has deep roots in the past and continues to evolve in the present. The struggle for survival and the desire to succeed in society and in the business world fuels today's activities. Grassroots movements for fair wages and tolerable working conditions bring workers together to collectively bring about change through the formalized organization of unions. Social theorists have attempted over the past century to explain the complex processes that occur within labor movements. Mishel and Walters theorize that collective bargaining units have a positive impact on human relations and collective bargaining within business, industry, and politics. Although some of their views are supported by popular social theories, the suggestions of other theorists contrast sharply with their views. Rationale for Worker-Led Labor Movements The need for fair labor practices has been a key factor in fueling the majority of worker-led grassroots movements. Various instances of racial, class, gender and age discrimination added to the frenzy as the human rights movement inspired society to make changes that created a more level playing field for all citizens in the labor force (Brecher and Costello, 1996). As the movement evolved from a mob mentality with picketing and random activism, collectivism began to take hold as more formal groups organized and gained recognition in the political arena. Individuals began to realize that there was more power for change in groups deeply committed to uniting under the umbrella of a common cause. The first collective bargaining units were thus created and expanded. Labor movements are a subject of constant interest...... middle of article ......l.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1263&context=lrr on 07/26/2014.Lafer , G. , (2013). The legislative attack on wages and labor standards in the United States, 2011-13. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.epi.org/files/2013/EPI-Legislative-Attack-on-American-Wages-Labor-Standards-10-31- 2013.pdf&hl=en from 07/25/2014. Mishel, L., Walters, M., (2003). How unions help all workers. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.epi.org/page/-/old/briefingpapers/143/bp143.pdf&hl=en_US&embedded=true on 07/25/2014. Park, Robert E (1904). Masse und Publikum (trans. The Crowd and the Public) (Berlin: Lack & Grunau).Weber, K., King, B., (2013). Social movement theory and organization studies. Retrieved from http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/~/media/Files/Faculty/Research/Weber%20King%20-%20social%20movt%20theory%2020130522.ashx at 07/24/2014.