Worker’s Rights

Positives & Negatives Standard of living up Wages up Unions form Danger/unhealthy 22 cents an hour 59 hr weeks Worker resentment Wage cuts

Union: association of workers to improve conditions Trade union: skilled craftsman Strike: stop work to protest Blacklist: list of “troublemakers” Lockout: cannot enter facilities to work Collective bargain: negotiations between workers & employers Scabs: strikebreakers, work during strike

US Government role 1. Laws: no laws protecting workers rights to unionize 2. Courts: rule that unions are illegal conspiracies that restrain trade

Reactions Anarchism: society does not need government; revolution Examples: none Methods: advocate violence, terrorism to trigger revolution

Reactions Marxism: class struggle, worker revolution Examples: Russian, Chinese, & Cuban Revolution Methods: workers overthrow government, replace with classless society, equal division of property

Reactions Unionism: workers association Examples: Knights of labor- 1872 8 hr work day, equal pay for women, no child labor, worker owned factory AFL Trade Union Samuel Gompers – demand increased wages, closed shops, collective bargaining Methods: work with government, negotiate better conditions, 8 hr day, minimum wage, safety regulations, max hours per day, overtime, recognition of unions, health insurance, pension plans