1. Working Conditions & The Development of Unions

2. Learning Targets I can describe working conditions at the turn of the century. I can describe working conditions at the turn of the century. I can describe the cycle of poverty. I can describe the cycle of poverty. I can explain how unions developed. I can explain how unions developed. I can define Socialism. I can define Socialism.

3. Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (1911) Mostly teenage girls working— made 17 cents/hour, worked 84 hrs/week. Mostly teenage girls working— made 17 cents/hour, worked 84 hrs/week. A fire broke out and spread (oil- soaked machines and lots of cloth around). A fire broke out and spread (oil- soaked machines and lots of cloth around). Inadequate safety measures: Inadequate safety measures: Locked doors at bottom of stairwells Locked doors at bottom of stairwells No sprinkler systems No sprinkler systems Narrow fire escape Narrow fire escape Many people died (146 of 275 workers). Many people died (146 of 275 workers).

5. Working Conditions 12 hour days or longer 12 hour days or longer 6 - 7 days a week 6 - 7 days a week No vacation, sick days, or unemployment compensation No vacation, sick days, or unemployment compensation Dangerous working conditions—no compensation if you got hurt Dangerous working conditions—no compensation if you got hurt Extremely low wages Extremely low wages

6. Average Turn-of-the-Century Wages Group1913 Dollars2013 Dollars Children2¢/hr47¢/hr Women14¢/hr$3.30/hr Men25¢/hr$5.90/hr In Crystal Lake today, a livable wage is considered:  $10.48/hr for a single adult  $20.86/hr for an adult with one child

7. Cycle of Poverty They can’t afford to support their families. So their children must work instead of go to school. These children grow up without an education, so they end up in... The average job had extremely low pay.

8. Purpose of Labor Unions “Power in numbers” in order to get fair wages and decent working conditions. “Power in numbers” in order to get fair wages and decent working conditions. 8-hour workday 8-hour workday Benefits (sick days, etc.) Benefits (sick days, etc.) Safety standards Safety standards Equal pay for men and women Equal pay for men and women Strikes were a last resort. Strikes were a last resort.

9. Socialism Eugene Debs believed that the problems of workers were a result of Capitalism. Eugene Debs believed that the problems of workers were a result of Capitalism. It made the rich richer and the poor poorer. It made the rich richer and the poor poorer. Socialism suggested some government control of businesses to more equally distribute the wealth. Socialism suggested some government control of businesses to more equally distribute the wealth.

10. Learning Targets  I can describe working conditions at the turn of the century.  I can describe the cycle of poverty.  I can explain how unions developed.  I can define Socialism.