GILDED AGE: INDUSTRIALIZATION TOPIC 5 LABOR UNIONS AND STRIKES

Essential Questions Explain the conditions of industrialization that led to the rise of organized labor. Evaluate labor’s effectiveness in achieving its goals.

WORKING CONDITIONS New machinery, which had replaced many skilled workers, was monotonous and, often, dangerous. Between 1865 and 1897, the US experienced deflation: caused prices to decrease and companies to cut wages. Workers were essentially at the mercy of industrialists, UNTIL…they began to organize. Workers wanted: higher wages, better benefits (like not dying on the job), better conditions, and fewer hours. Owners wanted: to make money.

THE GREAT RAILROAD STRIKE The Year: 1877 The Problem: Railroads cut wages for workers The Response: First nationwide labor protest The Players: 80,000 railroad workers across 11 states--- IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN RAIL TRAFFIC! The Result: violence and chaos led to US government intervention… on the side of business!

The Holy and Noble Order of THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR Est. 1869 Who: Open to all, blacks, whites, men and women, skilled and unskilled workers Founder: Uriah Stephens Leader: Terrence Powderly Goals: Cooperatives to make each man his own employer End child labor End of monopolies and trusts Change working society in general History: Grew rapidly but declined just as quick after they were blamed for the Haymarket Square Riot

HAYMARKET SQUARE RIOT 1886 The Knights called for a nationwide strike on May Day to support an 8-hour work day. On May 3rd, a clash between strikers and police leaves one dead. On May 4th, a protest took place at Chicago’s Haymarket Square, ending violently when someone threw a bomb and police responded by firing into the crowd. Significance: The public blamed the Knights and the Knights were no more.

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR Who: Skilled workers only Leader: Samuel Gompers Goals: Non-political Higher wages Improved working conditions Closed shop = where only union workers are hired. Excluded women and African Americans History: Still around today, known as the AFL- CIO.

HOMESTEAD STRIKE 1892 Carnegie’s business partner Henry Frick cut wages of the company workers at Carnegie’s plant in Homestead, PA. Workers called for a strike. Frick then called for the Pinkertons to break up the strike, and hired scabs. When strikers attempted sabotage in the factory, violence broke out (again). Government supported business (again).

AMERICAN RAILWAY UNION 1893 Leader: Eugene V. Debs Type of Union: industrial; open to skilled and unskilled laborers in the RR industry The ARU unionized the Pullman Palace Car Company based in Illinois.

THE PULLMAN STRIKE 1894 As an economic crisis set in, George Pullman laid off or cut the wages of those living in his company town. Workers complaining of high prices of rent and food were fired, and appealed to the ARU. Under Debs leadership, ARU workers were advised not to handle any trains with Pullman Cars, thus shutting down rail traffic. Railroad owners supported Pullman and linked Pullman cars to mail trains. President Cleveland used the army to keep mail trains running. A federal court injunction ordered railroad workers to abandon the boycott and not interfere with the mail. Debs refused and was arrested.

INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF THE WORLD! Est.1905 A.K.A. The Wobblies, or the IWW Founders: Eugene V. Debs and Big Bill Haywood Membership: open to unskilled, industrial workers, including women and African Americans Slogan: “Workers of the World…Unite!” Setback: became viewed as too radical, and associated with socialism

AND THEN THERE WAS… United Mine Workers Women’s Trade Union League Coal Miners Mary Harris “Mother” Jones West Virginia Women’s Trade Union League Mary O’Sullivan, Leonora O’Reilly, Jane Addams, Lillian Wald 1909: “Uprising of the 20,000”

TENSION BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND LABOR Management Tactics Labor Tactics Scabs/Strikebreakers Pinkertons Lockout Blacklisting Yellow-Dog Contract Court Injunction Open Shop Boycott Demonstration Protest Organized Strikes Sit-Down Strikes Collective Bargaining Closed Shop

ESSENTIAL CONCLUSIONS In the late 19th century, workers faced unhealthy and dangerous working conditions, long hours, and low wages Competition for jobs, with the lack of child labor laws and increased immigration, meant workers had little choice but to accept working conditions or lose their job. In the late 19th century, the acceptance of laissez- faire by both business and government blocked unions from achieving their goals.

SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES STRIKES COMPANY TOWNS HAYMARKET RIOT