Chapter 5 Industrial Revolution Section 3 Unions
Union Video
Poor Working conditions Workers hoped to improve Wages $0.22 per hour Hours 59 hour work weeks Working conditions Workers breathing in lent, dust, and toxic fumes Heavy machines lacking safety devices causing many injuries and deaths
Industrial workers Two types Craft workers Common workers Workers with special skills and training Machinist, iron molders, stonecutters, shoemaker, printers Higher wages Common workers Few skills Less wages
Trade Unions Craft workers in the 1830’s began to form trade unions
Industrial Unions Industrial unions attempted to unite in a specialized industry
Blacklist Workers tried to organize a strike or a union were fired and placed on a black list. This list would inform other companies that they were trouble makers and they would NOT be hired by another employer
Lockout When unions were formed, companies fought back with lockouts A company tool to fight unions demands by refusing to allow employees to enter its facilities to work
Anti Union Some Americans were against unions because they had a perception of being un-American and they were afraid of Marxism
The Great Railroad Strike Involved 80,000 workers 2/3 of the nations workforce Erupted in violence and resulted in the need to settle disputes more peacefully
Knights of Labor Formed in 1869 Used boycotts to pressure employers and used arbitration to reach agreement Arbitration is when a 3rd party helps workers and employers reach an agreement Supported 8 hour workdays Equal pay for women Ending child labor Create worker owned factories
Knight of Labor Women and African Americans were included in the Knights of Labor
Knights of Labor The Knights were able to convince Jay Gould, a “Robber Baron” to reverse wage cuts.
Haymarket Riots Happened in Chicago Issue- They wanted an 8 hour workday Outcome - It hurt the Knights of Labor reputation and decline in membership Lead by Chicago’s Knights of Labor members 1886
Pullman Railroad Strike of 1895 Took place in Chicago Cause - Pullman laid off workers and cut wages Outcome – Went to court and an injunction was issued Lead by Eugene Debs 1893
Homestead Strike Location – Homestead Pennsylvania Issue - Cut wages, a lockout, and the use of replacement workers Outcome – violent out break, many strikers injured or killed, after 4 months the strike collapsed Leadership – Carnegie and Henry Frick 1892
Injunction A court order stopping a strike Injunctions made it difficult for early unions to succeed. People lost faith in unions after frequent strikes and interference by authorities.
New Unions Emerge The American Federation of Labor (AFL) was led by Samuel Gompers The 3 goals of the AFL Convince companies to recognize unions Push for closed shop (only hire union workers) Wanted an 8 hour work day The AFL discriminated against African Americans and Women
Women’s Work Jobs that were considered women’s work were Domestic servants Teachers nurses Sales clerks Garment factory Food processing
Marry Harris Jones Rockefeller labeled her the most dangerous women in America because she was a persuasive speaker that helped organize mine workers 504602306
The Women’s Trade Union League was established for women only Fought for 8 hour work day The creation of a minimum wage The end of evening work for women The abolition of child labor