UnionsUnionsChapter 14 Section 4Chapter 14 Section 4

Working in US FactoriesWorking in US Factories

Machines replaced skilled laborUnhealthy and dangerousAssembly line – monotonous Industrialism brought a dramatic

rise in the standard of livingUneven division of income

distributed b/w the wealthy and the working class led to resentment

Machines replaced skilled laborUnhealthy and dangerousAssembly line – monotonous Industrialism brought a dramatic

rise in the standard of livingUneven division of income

distributed b/w the wealthy and the working class led to resentment

DeflationDeflation

Deflation – rise in the value of money Prices fell, which increased the buying

power of the workers wages Wages at the same amount were worth more

Companies cut wages to equal out, workers think companies want same work for less pay

Workers decide they need to organize a union to improve their working conditions Bargain collectively Negotiate for higher wages Negotiate for better work conditions

Deflation – rise in the value of money Prices fell, which increased the buying

power of the workers wages Wages at the same amount were worth more

Companies cut wages to equal out, workers think companies want same work for less pay

Workers decide they need to organize a union to improve their working conditions Bargain collectively Negotiate for higher wages Negotiate for better work conditions

Trade UnionsTrade Unions

Craft workers b/g to organize trade unionsCraft workers

People that had special skills and trainingGenerally received higher wagesWere more valued by factory owners b/c of

their specific skills Machinists, iron molder, stonecutters, glassblowers,

shoe makers, carpenters, etc

Trade unions were limited to craft workers

Craft workers b/g to organize trade unionsCraft workers

People that had special skills and trainingGenerally received higher wagesWere more valued by factory owners b/c of

their specific skills Machinists, iron molder, stonecutters, glassblowers,

shoe makers, carpenters, etc

Trade unions were limited to craft workers

Industrial UnionsIndustrial Unions

Industrial unions – united all craft workers and common laborers in a certain industry

Employers generally regarded industrial unions as illegitimateEmployers saw no reason to

negotiate w/ industrial unions b/c they had no skills that made them a valuable group

Industrial unions – united all craft workers and common laborers in a certain industry

Employers generally regarded industrial unions as illegitimateEmployers saw no reason to

negotiate w/ industrial unions b/c they had no skills that made them a valuable group

Preventing UnionsPreventing UnionsTo prevent unions companies…

Required workers to take oaths or sign contracts promising not to join a union

Hired detectives to go undercover and identify union organizers

If workers tried to organize a union or a strike they were fired and placed on a blacklistBlacklist – list of troublemakersOnce blacklisted a laborer could only get

a job by changing residence, trade, or his name

To prevent unions companies…Required workers to take oaths or sign

contracts promising not to join a unionHired detectives to go undercover and

identify union organizers If workers tried to organize a union or

a strike they were fired and placed on a blacklistBlacklist – list of troublemakersOnce blacklisted a laborer could only get

a job by changing residence, trade, or his name

Preventing UnionsPreventing Unions

If workers formed a union companies used a lockout to break itLockout – locked workers out of the

property and refused to pay them If the union called for a strike, the

company would hire replacement workers – strikebreakers (scabs)Strikebreakers/scabs – workers that

would take a job from a company when the company’s workers were on strike

If workers formed a union companies used a lockout to break itLockout – locked workers out of the

property and refused to pay them If the union called for a strike, the

company would hire replacement workers – strikebreakers (scabs)Strikebreakers/scabs – workers that

would take a job from a company when the company’s workers were on strike

Industrial UnionsIndustrial Unions

Knights of Labor – the first nationwide industrial unionDemanded an 8 hour workday, equal pay

for women, and abolition of child laborWanted worker owned factoriesWere dedicated to arbitration

A process where an impartial third party helps workers and management reach an agreement

Most all large-scale industrial unions failed, including the Knights of Labor

Knights of Labor – the first nationwide industrial unionDemanded an 8 hour workday, equal pay

for women, and abolition of child laborWanted worker owned factoriesWere dedicated to arbitration

A process where an impartial third party helps workers and management reach an agreement

Most all large-scale industrial unions failed, including the Knights of Labor

Trade UnionsTrade Unions

American Federation of Labor (AFL)Over 20 of the nation’s trade unions

merged into one unionLed by Samuel Gompers

Stayed out of politics, rejected socialist and communist ideas

Fight for small gains (higher wages and better work conditions)

Preferred to negotiation rather than strike

American Federation of Labor (AFL)Over 20 of the nation’s trade unions

merged into one unionLed by Samuel Gompers

Stayed out of politics, rejected socialist and communist ideas

Fight for small gains (higher wages and better work conditions)

Preferred to negotiation rather than strike

AFL GoalsAFL Goals

The AFL had 3 main goals…Tried to convince companies to

recognize unions and to agree to collective bargaining

Pushed for closed shopsCompanies could only hire union

membersIt promoted an 8 hour workday

The AFL was successful but most workers stayed away from unions

The AFL had 3 main goals…Tried to convince companies to

recognize unions and to agree to collective bargaining

Pushed for closed shopsCompanies could only hire union

membersIt promoted an 8 hour workday

The AFL was successful but most workers stayed away from unions

Women During This TimeWomen During This TimeMany unions excluded womenWomen were always paid less than

menWomen’s Trade Union League – first

national association dedicated to promoting women’s labor issuesThe WTUL wanted…

Abolishment of child laborAn 8 hour work dayThe creation of a minimum wageEnd evening work for women

Many unions excluded womenWomen were always paid less than

menWomen’s Trade Union League – first

national association dedicated to promoting women’s labor issuesThe WTUL wanted…

Abolishment of child laborAn 8 hour work dayThe creation of a minimum wageEnd evening work for women