1. Labor Unions

2. Video “Norma Rae” Questions
What are some of the hazards in the textile mill?
Why didn’t workers want the union?
Why didn’t the company want the union?
What were some conflicts that occurred?

3. History Labor unions came over to the U.S. colonies in 1620
Oldest form of unions were “guilds”

4. History Guilds made up of skilled craftsmen
Carpenters, cobblers & barrel makers
make sure members produced high quality goods and were treated fairly

5. History
By 1820’s labor unions managed to get the 12 hour work day reduced to 10 hours

6. History Factory system grew during & after Civil War
Invention of steam engine
Growing use of water power to operate machinery

7. History Unions were formed
Helps workers get organized
Bargain for needs and rights
To improve work conditions
Bargaining power is greater when in a group than individually

8. Labor Union Movement Federation National Labor Union Knights of Labor
Organization of groups
National Labor Union
Knights of Labor
American Federation of Labor

9. Labor Union Movement National Labor Union NLU 1866 -1872
Encouraged congress to pass 8 hour day
Wanted to bring together all national labor unions
Favored arbitration over strikes
8 hour day was passed for government workers but wages were also lowered

10. Labor Union Movement Knights of Labor 1869
Uriah Stephens & Terrance Powdery
Open to all workers
demanded
an end to child labor
Equal pay for women
Cooperative employer-employee ownership of mines and factories

11. Knights of Labor Believed in Strikes
Union Pacific Railroad Strike 1884
Victory
Haymarket square riots 1886
Members were accused of throwing bombs that killed police officers
Tarnished the Knights of Labor – not involved

12. Labor Union Movement American Federation of Labor AFL 1886
Samuel Gompers – member of cigar markers union
300,000 members in 25 unions
Organized only unions of skilled workers

13. American Federation of Labor
stressed
working conditions
pay
control over jobs

14. Labor Union Movement 1800’s – 1900’s
Many demonstrations, riots & strikes
Wanted better
Wages
Working conditions
Federal government & local police were often called in to arrest union members

15. Riot Example Pullman Strike Eugene Debs
Boycott/striking the buying of sleeping cars
Government hired replacement workers

16. Riot Example Triangle Shirt waist Company 1911 New York City
Garment industry
150 employees died during a fire
Mostly women
Fire exits were locked to prevent theft

17. Department of Labor Government created the Department of Labor 1914
Passed various laws to ensure rights of union members

18. AFL & CIO CIO AFL & CIO unite
Committee/congress for Industrial Organizations
Union of unskilled workers
AFL & CIO unite
1955
Made up 56 national & international unions

19. AFL & CIO Legislation Equal pay for equal work -- 1963
Age Discrimination act
Civil Rights Act – 1964
Occupational Safety and Health Act

20. AFL & CIO Legislation
Humphrey – Hawkins Act

21. Union Decline Reasons Employers keeping unions out businesses
New workers are less loyal to unions
Products becoming more expensive
Sales lost to foreign competitors
Workers lose jobs
Technology

22. Pros of Unions Better wages Working conditions Support for issues
Protected on your job
Legal council-free
Dues go for some good
Seniority protection
Don’t have to join

23. Cons of Unions No guarantee of better wages Rule of majority
Can’t go to boss alone
Can’t get rid of bad people
Unfair use of legal council
Dues have to be paid-money lost
Super seniority for union officers
Fair share in Wisconsin