Organized Labor

Organized Labor Problems Workers Face Impersonal Conditions Long hours Boring Repetitive Task Low Wages Dangerous Conditions Child Labor Periodic Unemployment Lack of Opportunity for Advancement Unpleasant Living Conditions

Organized Labor Labor Unions Goals of Labor Unions Groups of industrial works organizing to gain better working conditions. Goals of Labor Unions Obtain Higher Wages and Better Working Conditions Strike: walk off their jobs at the same time. “Mutual Aide” Society Place Pressure on Government

Organized Labor Knights of Labor First nationwide labor Union Founded by Terrence Powderly Include both skilled and unskilled workers. Was not organized well enough to win Strikes.

Organized Labor Samuel Gompers American Federation of Labor Founded the American Federation of Labor American Federation of Labor Labor Union who admitted only skilled labors Fought for higher pay, 8-hour workday, and better working condition. Was more successful than Night of Labor

Organized Labor Tactics of Labor Unions and Management Picket Line: Strikers would gather outside their jobs to raise public opinion Strike-breakers: Temporary works hired by government to operate the factory. Lock-out Managers would close the factory so workers could not work. Yellow-dog contracts Contracts prohibiting workers form joining unions Blacklisting Placing Union Leaders names on list that prevent them from getting a job.

Lecture Quiz What were five problems workers faced in urban areas? What is a labor union? How are strikes used to benefit laborers? What is considered to be the first labor union? Who is Samuel Gompers? What are two tactics management used against unions?

Organized Labor Haymarket Riot (1886) Riots in Chicago between striking workers and strikebreaking Cops break up the fighting with gun shots Unions are blamed for the violence The Knights of Labor are blamed and dissolve shortly after.

Organized Labor Homestead Strike: Strike lead by steel workers in attempt to earn more money. Government sides with the steel factories. Violence initiated by strikers lead to negative public opinion of Unions.

Organized Labor Pullman Strike Strike occurs because Pullman lowers wages but not prices on good in the company town. The entire railroad union goes on strike President Cleveland gets involved siding with the Railroad.

Organized Labor Capitalism Socialism Anarchism Social Darwinist Individuals or corporations privately own the means of production Socialism Government ownership of the means of production to improve conditions for workers. Anarchism Political theory opposing all forms of government in favor of self governing communities. Social Darwinist Belief that humans compete for survival and those who are naturally superior will meet with the greatest success.