1. The Labor Movement

2. The Rise of the Labor Movement
America was doing very well by the wealthy
The working classes were not fairing as well
Steel workers worked a 7 day work week
Seamstresses worked 12 hour shifts, 6 days a week
There were no benefits:
Vacation time
Sick leave
Unemployment compensation
Reimbursement for injuries on the job

3. Factory Conditions Working conditions were dangerous Everyone worked
In 1882, an average of 675 laborers were killed in work related accidents
Everyone worked
By 1910, there were 8 million women working for wages
20 % of boys and 10% of girls under 15 held full time jobs
Leaving little time for school, let alone leisure
There was no after school soccer

4. Factory Conditions Wages were low
Children made as little as $.27 per day (roughly $7 today)
Adults made $267-$498 per year

5. Labor Unions Begin to Form
Labor unions were a product of the Industrial Revolution
First ones were formed in the early 1700’s
The first large scale ones were formed in 1866
Laborers had little to no power in these factories
Union demanded better working conditions for workers
Successful in lobbying Congress to legalize the 8 hour work day

6. Unions Improve Working Conditions
The American Federation of Labor entered into agreements with employers to settle working hours, salaries and safer working conditions,
The AFL preferred to use strikes as a way to force employers to agree.
Between 1890 and 1915 weekly wages rose from $17 to $24
Work hours fell from 54 to 49

7. Women Fight For Better Conditions
Women were barred from joining unions
They were still powerfully involved in the movement
One of the most prominent organizers for women was Mary Harris (Mother) Jones.
Jones organized strikes for coal miners and organized children to march on the Washington to focus on child labor conditions
In 1909, Pauline Newman helped to organize the Ladies' Garment Worker’s Union

8. Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
March 25, 1911 a fire broke out in a garment factory in New York.
Management had barred the doors to prevent theft
The fire spread quickly due to the poor conditions in the factory.
In all, 146 women died in the fire.
The factory owners are acquitted of manslaughter
New York is outrages; leads to labor reforms