1. Warm-Up What is the importance of a labor union and why were they started? Video Clip #1 Video Clip Video Clip #2 Video Clip

2. Labor Unions

3. What is a Labor Union? A labor union is a group of workers that work together to protect themselves, as well as other employees against their workplace.

4. The Beginning of Change in the Workplace Knights of Labor (created in 1869) Trade union created by garment cutters in Philadelphia. Included: women, African Americans, immigrants and unskilled laborers. Secret meetings Special hand shakes to identify each other. National labor organization in the 1880’s Leader: Terence V. Powderly 700,000 members by 1886. Lost members and power in the 1890’s

5. Even More Change! American Federation of Labor (AFL) - created in 1881. Represented workers from various crafts. Leader: Samuel Gompers Organization wanted: Higher wages Shorter hours Better working conditions Rights to bargain collectively 1904: more than 1.6 million members.

6. The Spark that Caused Change Triangle Shirtwaist Company Fire – 1911 Nearly150 workers died: Mostly young immigrant workers. Harsh working conditions/long hours. Women locked in workrooms and forced to work without breaks. Fire caused uproar and push for a safer working environment. This effort was led by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union (ILGWU).

7. Union for Women International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) – Created 1900 Leader: Benjamin Schlesinger Union for women. After the incident at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company, the ILGWU fought for safer working conditions and environments.

8. Reactions to Labor Unions Business owners forced workers to take pay cuts or lose their jobs. Violence – police and union workers killed (Haymarket Riot). Closing of factories Hiring of non-union employees. Injunctions (court order) to force union workers to stop strikes/protests. Many union workers were sent to prison.

9. Evidence of Violence Union Busting Video Clip