Labor Unions “We do want more, and when it becomes more, we shall still want more. And we shall never cease to demand more until we have received the results of our labor.” Samuel Gompers

Review: Problems with Factory Life Both the very young and old were working hour days. Both the very young and old were working hour days. No compensation for injury or death. No compensation for injury or death. Unsanitary and unsafe conditions. Unsanitary and unsafe conditions. Example: Fire at the Triangle Waist Co. sweatshop—killed 146 young immigrants. Example: Fire at the Triangle Waist Co. sweatshop—killed 146 young immigrants. No job security. No job security. No minimum wage. No minimum wage.

Labor Unions Definition: A group of workers that band together to achieve common goals. Were formed to negotiate with company owners about wages and working conditions. This process is called Collective bargaining The first nation-wide labor organizations developed in the mid-1800’s.

Knights of Labor (KOL) Founded in 1869 as an all-inclusive organization. (African Americans and women) Founded in 1869 as an all-inclusive organization. (African Americans and women) Wanted work rights for skilled and unskilled workers. Wanted work rights for skilled and unskilled workers. Wanted cooperative employer-employee ownership of mines and factories. Challenged the idea of capitalism. Wanted cooperative employer-employee ownership of mines and factories. Challenged the idea of capitalism. Opposed child labor, demanded an 8 hour day, and equal pay for women. Opposed child labor, demanded an 8 hour day, and equal pay for women. KOL declined after the 1886 Haymarket Riot. KOL declined after the 1886 Haymarket Riot.

Great Railroad Strike of 1877 Cause: Owners of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad had cut employee wages twice within one year. Cause: Owners of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad had cut employee wages twice within one year. The strike began in W. Virginia and lasted 45 days. The strike began in W. Virginia and lasted 45 days. Was put down by local and state militias as well as federal troops. Was put down by local and state militias as well as federal troops. Result: Unions became better Result: Unions became better organized and the number of strikes increased.

American Federation of Labor (AFL) Founded in 1886 by Samuel Gompers. Founded in 1886 by Samuel Gompers. Was initially open to all people. Was initially open to all people. By the 1890’s only skilled workers could join the AFL—because they were less replaceable. By the 1890’s only skilled workers could join the AFL—because they were less replaceable. Believed in Capitalism— Gompers limited his demands to pay and working conditions. Was less political. Believed in Capitalism— Gompers limited his demands to pay and working conditions. Was less political.

The I.W.W. Industrial Workers of the World Founded 1905 in Chicago by anarchists, socialist, & radical unionists opposed to the AFL Founded 1905 in Chicago by anarchists, socialist, & radical unionists opposed to the AFL Wobblies Wobblies Anti-capitalists Anti-capitalists 100,000 members in 1923, and could get the support of about 300,000 others 100,000 members in 1923, and could get the support of about 300,000 others a split in the union because of internal conflict a split in the union because of internal conflict Today there is a membership of about 2,000 Today there is a membership of about 2,000

Obstacles to Unity By 1900, only 1 out of 33 American workers were members of some type of union. Why was unifying so difficult? By 1900, only 1 out of 33 American workers were members of some type of union. Why was unifying so difficult? 1. Initially the government sided with business and broke up major strikes. 2. Many unions excluded three important groups: minorities, women, and unskilled workers.

Labor vs. Business Businesses fought the growth of unions through legal and violent practices. Businesses fought the growth of unions through legal and violent practices. 1. Legal: yellow-dog contracts, blacklisting, hiring “scabs” or strikebreakers. 2. Violent: Pinkertons, militias.

The Government’s Role: The government eventually began passing legislation to protect workers and improve their health and safety. The government eventually began passing legislation to protect workers and improve their health and safety.Examples: -Created the Department of Labor -Child labor laws, minimum wage, fire codes, workman’s compensation.