Labor Movements

Social Darwinism The theory that people are subject to the same laws of Darwin's Natural Selection, specifically, the survival of the fittest. The poor are poor because they are not as fit to survive and prosper Used as an argument against social reforms to help the poor Used to justify the ruthless tactics used by Robber Barons to suppress worker’s rights

Plight of Workers As the Robber Barons grew richer, their workers suffered. Low wages 12+ hour days, 6-7 days/week No vacation, sick leave, unemployment compensation, or workers compensation for injuries Repetitive, mind-numbing tasks Increase in child labor (decrease in education) Unskilled laborers worked in sweatshops in tenements (small apartments) that were not regulated by US labor laws

Early Labor Organizing 1866-74 – National Labor Union (NLU) 1st national labor union Persuaded Congress to legalize an 8 hour workday Colored National Labor Union (CNLU) formed in response to NLU’s refusal to accept black members 1869-84 – Noble Order of the Knights of Labor “An injury to one is the concern of all.” Open to all industries, races, sexes, skill level Advocated for equal pay for the sexes, shorter work day, and arbitration rather than striking

Different Types of Labor Activism Craft Unionism Industrial Unionism Included skilled workers from more than one industry (all with similar skills, ex: carpentry, painting, engineering, etc) Ex: Samuel Gompers president of American Federation of Labor (AFL) used collective bargaining (negotiations) and strikes to raise wages for skilled workers. Included skilled and unskilled workers in the same industry Ex: Eugene V. Debs’ American Railway Union (ARU) included unskilled workers to skilled engineers, used strikes to raise wages.

Socialism and Labor Activism Socialism – an economic and political system based on government control of business/property and equal distribution of wealth. Eugene Debs would run for POTUS 5 times with the Socialist party. 1905 - Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) Founded by Debs and William Haywood AKA the “Wobblies” – all races, skill levels Foundations in socialism – government control of businesses and equal distribution of wealth was appealing to poor and overworked laborers

Labor Activism in the West Sugar Beet and Farm Laborers’ Union Japanese and Mexican immigrants working in sugar-beet fields organized a successful strike in California Wyoming State Federation of Labor supported a union of Chinese and Japanese miners wanting equal pay and treatment as other union miners.

Strikes Turn Violent Great Strike of 1877 Haymarket Riot (1886) Railroad workers in Ohio stopped working for more than a week Governor cited “disruption of interstate trade” and POTUS Hayes sent fed troops to end the strike Haymarket Riot (1886) Police killed a striker  unionists gathered in Haymarket Square in Chicago to protest police brutality Bomb thrown at police line  police opened fire on crowd Over 10 people killed (7 police) 8 people convicted of inciting a riot (4 hung, 1 committed suicide) Public opinion turned against labor activism

Strikes Turn Violent Homestead Strike (1892) Pullman Strike (1894) Carnegie Steel Company in PA Protesting wage cuts Several strikers and guards killed Pullman Strike (1894) Pullman, IL; during the Panic of 1893 Pullman laid off ½ employees and cut wages BUT didn’t lower cost of rent Debs’ ARU tried to negotiate but was forced to strike, turned violent POTUS Cleveland sent fed troops to end strike, Debs jailed

Women Organize Many women participated in labor activism, but were banned from unions. Mary Harris Jones AKA Mother Jones Organized the United Mine Workers of American Faced jail and death threats Led 80 children with labor related injuries on a march on DC  persuaded Congress to pass child labor laws

Women Organize 1909 - International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union Advocated for better working conditions in garment factories 1911 – Triangle Shirtwaist Fire NYC, doors locked to prevent theft, no sprinkler system, fire escape broken 146 women died Jury acquitted factory managers of manslaughter  public outraged  NY set up task force to investigate working conditions

Management and Government Pressure Unions Management grew to resent unions  forbade meetings, fired union members, “yellow-dog” contracts (won’t join union). Industrialists actually used the Sherman Antitrust Act (originally disliked and ignored) against unions by requesting that fed troops be sent to break up boycotts, strikes, or protests  “interfering with interstate trade” Despite pressures, unions remained popular and active throughout the early 20th century.