Working Conditions Problems that the urban factory worker faced Problems that the urban factory worker faced Piecework- pay based on how much you produce Piecework- pay based on how much you produce hour work day hour work day Poor air/ventilation/poor lighting Poor air/ventilation/poor lighting Low wages/competition from labor surplus Low wages/competition from labor surplus Capitalist/anti-worker sentiment in early US history Capitalist/anti-worker sentiment in early US history No insurance/job stability No insurance/job stability 35,000 deaths in year in factories 35,000 deaths in year in factories Child labor Child labor Aim: How could you describe the working conditions in the factories of the US?

Child Labor “There is a certain class of labor in mills where there is not as much muscular exercise required as a child would put forth in play, and a child can do it about as well as a grown person…There is such thing as too much education for working people sometimes. I have seen cases where young people are spoiled for labor by…too much refinement.” “There is a certain class of labor in mills where there is not as much muscular exercise required as a child would put forth in play, and a child can do it about as well as a grown person…There is such thing as too much education for working people sometimes. I have seen cases where young people are spoiled for labor by…too much refinement.” Children started to work at age 5 Children started to work at age 5 Up to 19 hour days with 1 hr break (usually 12 hrs day/ 6 days a week) Up to 19 hour days with 1 hr break (usually 12 hrs day/ 6 days a week) Over 50% under 10 worked full time job in cities during Industrial Era Over 50% under 10 worked full time job in cities during Industrial Era 2 million under 15 by million under 15 by 1911 What does it say about the US now that most children do not work and go to school? What does it say about the US now that most children do not work and go to school? Aim: How could you describe the working conditions in the factories of the US?

Purpose of Unions With a partner….. With a partner….. 1. Detail 4 things that a union does to help its members. 1. Detail 4 things that a union does to help its members. 2. Give 2 ways that a union is able to accomplish its goals. 2. Give 2 ways that a union is able to accomplish its goals. Impact of unions for workers Impact of unions for workers Protect workers rights Protect workers rights Higher wages Higher wages Health insurance Health insurance Working conditions Working conditions Retirement benefits Retirement benefits Job security Job security Ways to accomplish goals Ways to accomplish goals Mediation/negotiations Mediation/negotiations Arbitration Arbitration Strikes! Strikes! Pressure to prevent scabs Pressure to prevent scabs Aim: How did unions develop and try to help the workers?

AFL American Federation of Labor American Federation of Labor Founded by Samuel Gompers Founded by Samuel Gompers Goals Goals “closed shops”- all union workers “closed shops”- all union workers Pool funds for strikes Pool funds for strikes Mostly skilled laborers Mostly skilled laborers ½ million members 1900 Won ½ of their strikes,,,, pretty good % for the time period 5% of all workers in the US belonged to a union in 1900 Aim: How did unions develop and try to help the workers?

Eugene V. Debs ARU and IWW founder ARU and IWW founder Led many strikes for various unions Led many strikes for various unions Ran for President 4x under the Socialist Party Ran for President 4x under the Socialist Party 6% in % in million votes in 1920 election 1 million votes in 1920 election Not bad considering he was in jail at the time!!! Not bad considering he was in jail at the time!!! Sentenced to 10 years for protesting WWI Sentenced to 10 years for protesting WWI Debs v. United States Debs v. United States Aim: How did unions develop and try to help the workers?

Debs speech at his trial Your honor, I have stated in this court that I am opposed to the form of our present government; that I am opposed to the social system in which we live; that I believe in the change of both but by perfectly peaceable and orderly means....I am thinking this morning of the men in the mills and factories; I am thinking of the women who, for a paltry wage, are compelled to work out their lives; of the little children who, in this system, are robbed of their childhood, and in their early, tender years, are seized in the remorseless grasp of Mammon, and forced into the industrial dungeons, there to feed the machines while they themselves are being starved body and soul....Your honor, I ask no mercy, I plead for no immunity. I realize that finally the right must prevail. I never more fully comprehended than now the great struggle between the powers of greed on the one hand and upon the other the rising hosts of freedom. I can see the dawn of a better day of humanity. The people are awakening. In due course of time they will come into their own. When the mariner, sailing over tropic seas, looks for relief from his weary watch, he turns his eyes toward the Southern Cross, burning luridly above the tempest- vexed ocean. As the midnight approaches the Southern Cross begins to bend, and the whirling worlds change their places, and with starry finger-points the Almighty marks the passage of Time upon the dial of the universe; and though no bell may beat the glad tidings, the look-out knows that the midnight is passing – that relief and rest are close at hand. Let the people take heart and hope everywhere, for the cross is bending, midnight is passing, and joy cometh with the morning. Your honor, I have stated in this court that I am opposed to the form of our present government; that I am opposed to the social system in which we live; that I believe in the change of both but by perfectly peaceable and orderly means....I am thinking this morning of the men in the mills and factories; I am thinking of the women who, for a paltry wage, are compelled to work out their lives; of the little children who, in this system, are robbed of their childhood, and in their early, tender years, are seized in the remorseless grasp of Mammon, and forced into the industrial dungeons, there to feed the machines while they themselves are being starved body and soul....Your honor, I ask no mercy, I plead for no immunity. I realize that finally the right must prevail. I never more fully comprehended than now the great struggle between the powers of greed on the one hand and upon the other the rising hosts of freedom. I can see the dawn of a better day of humanity. The people are awakening. In due course of time they will come into their own. When the mariner, sailing over tropic seas, looks for relief from his weary watch, he turns his eyes toward the Southern Cross, burning luridly above the tempest- vexed ocean. As the midnight approaches the Southern Cross begins to bend, and the whirling worlds change their places, and with starry finger-points the Almighty marks the passage of Time upon the dial of the universe; and though no bell may beat the glad tidings, the look-out knows that the midnight is passing – that relief and rest are close at hand. Let the people take heart and hope everywhere, for the cross is bending, midnight is passing, and joy cometh with the morning. What imagery does he use in his speech,,, why? What imagery does he use in his speech,,, why? What do you think his goal was in making the speech? What do you think his goal was in making the speech? Do you agree or disagree with his argument? Why/why not? Do you agree or disagree with his argument? Why/why not? Aim: How did unions develop and try to help the workers?

Major Strikes Haymarket Haymarket Homestead Homestead Pullman Pullman Great RR Strike of 1877 Great RR Strike of 1877 Hw Hw Make a chart for each of the strikes above Make a chart for each of the strikes above Name of Strike HaymarketPullmanHomestead Cause of the Strike Company or person the strike targeted Leader/Union organizing the strike Outcome/ Success/ Failur e of Strike Aim: How did unions develop and try to help the workers?