Workers and Unions

When was the National labour Union formed and ended?

Formed 1866

Ended in 1869 after Sylvis died

When were the Molly Maguires?

1873

When were the Knights of Labour formed and when did they decline due to what?

Formed in 1869, was more significant after Powderly took over in 1879. Had 700,000 members by 1886

Lost impact in 1886 after the Haymarket Affair and an economic slump.

When was the American Federation of Labour formed and what was the aim? How many members?

Formed in 1886 by Gompers and aimed to unite all unions in skilled jobs, by 1914 had 2 million members.

What was a major barrier to solidarity between 1865-1960?

Nativism and Racism

How do Gompers and the AFL impact during WW1?

Influences government policy and negotiates agreements - eg wage rises and 8 hr day

What happened between 1933-1935 that forced FDR to support labour issues? what did this lead to ?

Wildcat strikes, often happened without official union support. led to the Wagner act in 1935

When was the congress of Industrial Organizations formed? + aims

1935, tried to unite all unskilled workers.

Why could CIO and AFL not have a significant impact?

They were divided and did not work together in a key time (depression) where the labour movement was at its peak

What happens to the CIO in 1945-50 and why?

Lose support due to the cold war and their links to communism

what does general motors do in 1948?

agree new contracts

When do the CIO and AFL merge? why?

1955, due to a decline in union membership caused by the changing economy and workforce. the more unified labour movement of the 1930s to 50s was breaking up

How much more did union members earn compared to non in 1960s?

20% more

Why did public sector union membership increase in the 60s?

1962 JFK allows public service workers the right to collective bargaining. strikes illegal but took place anyways.

Why did public sector strikes make unions lose members?

they were extremely unpopular

when was the United Farm Workers formed and who by? what did they succeed in?

Formed in 1965 by Cesar Chavez, by 1970 UFW had achieved a collective bargaining with the grape growers affecting an excess of 10,000 hispanic farm workers. This shows what a united action could do

what does the AFL-CIO try to do in 1960s and 70s? why was this a failure?

Try to end discrimination against minority groups but they still faced discrimination from white workers and some unions. Racism weakens unions by effecting solidarity.

what happened to the UFW in 1970s?

Faced a challenge from the teamsters who also wanted to represent the farm workers. dispute ruined the UFW and by 1992 the UFW was struggling to rebuild membership. DIVSIONS of two unions against each other

When did US postal workers go on strike + when did teachers? why was this so unpopular?

post - 1970

teachers - 1972

unpopular as public sector workers impacted peoples everyday lives which caused resentment - led to a decrease in union membership/ sympathy.

When was the Coalition of Black trade Unions formed? how many unions did it represent and what was it made in response to?

Formed in 1972 and represented 37 national unions

made in response to the failure of the AFL-CIO. showed a lack of solidarity still.

The CBTU did manage to exert some pressure especially on employment of black women

when was the PATCO strike and what was its impact?

1981, highlighted that unions had declined and led to a harsh response from Reagan and also public anger.

when were the wobblies created? how many members did they have? impact and when does it end?

formed in 1905

more milliant and failed in 1924 buy divisions in its leadership

never had more than 100,000