Discussion (01/12/17) Get out your homework from yesterday (Samuel Gompers piece) Why is this era (1870s-1890s) in U.S. history called the “Gilded Age?” If you worked at a job with harsh conditions or low pay, how would you address those issues? What challenges/difficulties would you have to face in getting these issues fixed?

Today’s Class (01/12/16) Outcome Agenda Be able to describe the purpose & development of labor unions. Be able to compare & contrast the two major labor unions in the Gilded Age (AFL & IWW). Agenda Bellringer Primary Source Reading: Samuel Gompers – On the Goals of Trade Unions Guided Notes: Labor Unions in the Gilded Age

Industrialization Benefits Increase in oil, coal, iron, steel production New production methods (Bessemer Process) made steel cheaper & stronger Expansion of Railroads Time zones created, invention of sleeper cars Increased demand for steel production – more factories & jobs Technological Advancements Skyscrapers, Edison’s lightbulb, residential electricity Electric streetcars, Bell’s telephone

Industrialization Problems Negative Environmental Impact Increase in factory pollution, air & water harmed Conflict between Workers & Employees Workers work long hours in dangerous conditions for low pay No vacation, sick leave, insurance Abuses in Railroad Industry Illegal/corrupt deals between politicians & railroad companies Railroad companies charged farmers high prices Inadequate Urban Housing Crowded, filthy tenements; horrible sanitation

Labor Unions in the Gilded Age

Business Turns Big In the late 1800s, companies like John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil & J.P. Morgan’s U.S. Steel gained extreme levels of wealth & power. Companies used strategies such as horizontal & vertical integration, undercutting prices, and forming trust companies to create large monopolies & hindering competition. As businesses rose in size, many began to disregard the care & safety of their workers in favor of higher profits.

Industrial Working Conditions Steel workers often worked 7 days per week. Seamstresses worked 12+ hours, 6 days per week. Vacation, sick leave, and insurance were non-existent. Workers had to perform repetitive, mind-numbing tasks with faulty equipment. Wages were low; children often pulled out of school for families to make ends meet.

Workers Respond Many workers banded together and formed labor unions to address issues in their workplaces. The first large, national labor organization was the Knights of Labor, founded by Terence Powderly. Motto: “An injury to one is the concern of all.” Membership open to all workers, regardless of race, gender or degree of skill. Advocated for arbitration (negotiations with employer) before striking.

Union Movements Split As the activity and influence of labor unions spread, the membership and goals of these unions varied. Two types of unions formed in the Gilded Age: Craft Unions Included skilled workers – mechanics, carpenters, painters, electricians, engineers Industrial Unions Included unskilled workers – assembly line, “button-pressers,”

Craft Unionism & the AFL The American Federation of Labor represented skilled workers from many different craft unions. Samuel Gompers was the president of the AFL. The AFL focused on safer working conditions, the right to collective bargaining, and increasing wages. The AFL used strikes as a major tactic, winning higher wages and shorter workweeks.

Craft Unionism & the AFL Effects of Craft Unionism: In unionized industries from 1890-1915: Avg. weekly wages rose from $17.50 to $24 Avg. workweek shortened from 54.5 to 49 hours.

Industrial Unionism & the IWW The Industrial Workers of the World (nicknamed “Wobblies”) represented unskilled workers Examples: miners, lumberers, dock workers, railroad workers Leaders were Bill Haywood and Eugene Debs, a prominent socialist. Debs & other industrial union leaders rallied for equal distribution of wealth & government control of business. More radical tactics than the AFL & craft unions – used strikes AND violence/sabotage

Strikes Turn Violent Industrialists and government responded with force to many instances of union activity. The Great Strike of 1877 – July, 1877 More than 50,000 miles of railways halted after workers of railroad companies protest wage cuts. Federal troops intervened on the grounds that the strike was affecting interstate commerce. Federal troops fired on a group of marching workers, killing 25.

Strikes Turn Violent The Haymarket Riot – May 4, 1886 Protesting harsh conditions at McCormick Machine Co., more than 3,000 workers assembled at Chicago’s Haymarket Square. A bomb was tossed into the police line, causing police to open fire on workers. 7 police & several workers died as result. The Homestead Strike – June-July, 1892 Steelworkers at Andrew Carnegie’s steel plant in Homestead, PA called strike to protest plan to cut wages. Private police force (Pinkertons) was hired to protect steel plant so scab workers could operate. Steelworkers ousted Pinkertons, but Pennsylvania National Guard ended strike.

Violence Causes Decline in Membership The Haymarket Riot, and other violent labor encounters, caused a temporary decrease in labor union membership, as well a public image crisis.

Primary Source Reading Samuel Gompers, On the Goal of Trade Unions What specific reforms did Gompers advocate for? Explain Gompers’ view on the usefulness of strikes and government legislation. What did Gompers say is the purpose of labor unions? What benefits, according to Gompers, emerge in a society with trade unions?

Industrialists: Robber Barons or Captains of Industry? Industrialists like John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Andrew Carnegie, and J.P. Morgan made incredible fortunes during the Gilded Age. Many viewed these men as either “robber barons” or “captains of industry” “Robber Barons” - Cruel business leader that became wealthy through ruthless actions, corruption, and taking advantage of others. OR “Captains of Industry” - Hard working business leader that benefitted the nation in a positive way by creating jobs and donating money to charity to benefit the well being of others.

Primary Source Readings Pullman Strikers – Life in a Company Town Statement given at American Railway Union meeting What are the conditions like for the workers who live in this company town? What are the criticisms of Pullman? Are they valid? How could an organized union aid the Pullman workers?

Video: Labor Union Conflicts http://education-portal Answer at the bottom on the front of guided notes: What is laissez-faire capitalism? What is the idea of Social Darwinism? What organization was created by the federal government to deal with strikes after the Great Railroad Strike of 1877? How did the Haymarket Riot affect public opinion of labor unions? How was the federal government able to intervene in labor disputes after the Pullman Strike?

Today’s Class (1/28/14) Outcome: Agenda: Be able to describe the purpose & development of labor unions. Be able to compare & contrast the two major labor unions in the Gilded Age (AFL & IWW). Agenda: Bellringer Finish Labor Union Guided Notes Video: Labor Union Conflicts Primary Source Reading Pullman Strikers – Life in a Company Town

Bellringer (1/21/14) Is it possible to become wealthy without taking advantage of others? When does industrial progress become greed?