John J. Sweeney

Throughout the 1990s, the use of temporary, part-time, and contract employees—collectively referred to as "contingent" workers—continued to grow rapidly as companies sought to cut costs through the use of a more flexible workforce. In the following viewpoint, John J. Sweeney argues that unscrupulous employers often exploit contingent workers by paying them lower wages and benefits than those paid to permanent employees. Therefore, contingent workers will benefit from the higher pay and legal advocacy that union representation provides, in the author's opinion. Sweeney is president of the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the voluntary federation of unions representing more than 13 million workers nationwide.

As you read, consider the following questions:
1. According to Sweeney, what does the General Accounting Office report on contingent employment confirm about the...