Labor Unions

Video “Norma Rae” Questions

What are some of the hazards in the textile mill?

Why didn’t workers want the union?

Why didn’t the company want the union?

What were some conflicts that occurred?

History

Labor unions came over to the U.S. colonies in 1620

Oldest form of unions were “guilds”

History

Guilds made up of skilled craftsmen Carpenters, cobblers & barrel makers

make sure members produced high quality goods and were treated fairly

History

By 1820’s labor unions managed to get the 12 hour work day reduced to 10 hours

History

Factory system grew during & after Civil War Invention of steam engine Growing use of water power to

operate machinery

History

Unions were formed Helps workers get organized Bargain for needs and rights To improve work conditions

Bargaining power is greater when in a group than individually

Labor Union Movement

Federation Organization of groups

National Labor Union Knights of Labor American Federation of Labor

Labor Union Movement

National Labor Union NLU 1866 -1872 Encouraged congress to pass 8 hour day Wanted to bring together all national labor

unions Favored arbitration over strikes 8 hour day was passed for government workers

but wages were also lowered

Labor Union Movement

Knights of Labor 1869 Uriah Stephens & Terrance Powdery Open to all workers demanded

an end to child labor Equal pay for women Cooperative employer-employee ownership

of mines and factories

Knights of Labor

Believed in Strikes Union Pacific Railroad Strike 1884

Victory Haymarket square riots 1886

Members were accused of throwing bombs that killed police officers

Tarnished the Knights of Labor – not involved

Labor Union Movement

American Federation of Labor AFL 1886 Samuel Gompers – member of cigar

markers union 300,000 members in 25 unions Organized only unions of skilled workers

American Federation of Labor

stressed working conditions pay control over jobs

Labor Union Movement 1800’s – 1900’s

Many demonstrations, riots & strikes

Wanted better Wages Working conditions

Federal government & local police were often called in to arrest union members

Riot Example

Pullman Strike Eugene Debs Boycott/striking the buying of sleeping

cars Government hired replacement workers

Riot Example

Triangle Shirt waist Company 1911 New York City Garment industry 150 employees died during a fire Mostly women Fire exits were locked to prevent theft

Department of Labor

Government created the Department of Labor 1914 Passed various laws to ensure rights of

union members

AFL & CIO CIO

Committee/congress for Industrial Organizations

Union of unskilled workers

AFL & CIO unite 1955 Made up 56 national & international

unions

AFL & CIO Legislation

Equal pay for equal work -- 1963

Age Discrimination act -- 1968

Civil Rights Act – 1964

Occupational Safety and Health Act -- 1970

AFL & CIO Legislation

Humphrey – Hawkins Act -- 1978

Union Decline

Reasons Employers keeping unions out

businesses New workers are less loyal to unions Products becoming more expensive

Sales lost to foreign competitors Workers lose jobs Technology

Pros of Unions Better wages Working conditions Support for issues Protected on your job Legal council-free Dues go for some good Seniority protection Don’t have to join

Cons of Unions No guarantee of better wages Rule of majority Can’t go to boss alone Can’t get rid of bad people Unfair use of legal council Dues have to be paid-money lost Super seniority for union officers Fair share in Wisconsin