Labor Unions

Working in the U.S.

-> dull repetitive tasks made an unhealthy work environment
->Many workers weren't paid livable wages
-> Deflation made wages more valuable, so workers were paid less

Early Labor Unions

Labor Unions consisted of specialized skill-workers who would band together to get higher pay and better working conditions. Labor Union members would defend the interests of other members through riots or negotiations

Craft Workers

employees who combine an intense pride in their work with a broad knowledge of tools, materials, and processes as well as manual skills acquired by long training and experience

Common laborers

had few skills and received lower wages

How many national trade Unions existed by 1873?

30

Opposition to Labor Unions

Employers viewed Labor Unions as conspiracies that interfered with property rights
-> disliked industrial workers particularly because of their unity

Lockouts

Policy where employers prevented Union members from working to refuse pay

Strikes

times when workers refuse to work until owners improve conditions

Strikebreakers

workers hired to do the jobs of striking workers until the labor dispute is resolved

How did Courts frequently rule in these scenarios?

They ruled AGAINST unions, viewing them as conspiracies in restraint of trade

What were Unions accused of?

Unions were accused of being socialist
-> immigrant workers were accused of forming unions and discriminated against

How did the police and army affected by strikes

The Police and the Military would be called in to stop strikes

Struggling to organize

Workers attempted and failed to create large unions
->confrontation often led to violence and bloodshed

When did The Great Railroad Strike occur?

July, 1877

Why did a large number of railroad workers go on strike during The Great Railroad Strike?

Wage cuts

What action did President Hayes take to stop the rioting during The Great Railroad Strike?

Sent troops

Where did the worst railroad violence occur during The Great Railroad Strike?

Pittsburgh

How many people died in total during The Great Railroad Strike?

100

How much railroad infrastructure was destroyed during The Great Railroad Strike?

$10 Million

The Knights of Labor

1st effort to create National union. Open to everyone but lawyers and bankers. Led by Terrence Powderly. Favored Arbitration and Boycotting. Wanted an 8-hour workday, equal pay for women and an end to child labor

The Haymarket Riot

In this location, a bomb was hurled toward police officials, and police opened fire on the demonstrators; numerous policemen and demonstrators were killed and wounded; response in nation's press was decidedly anti-union.

effects of the Haymarket Riot

-> The Knights of Steel and other unions lost their reputation
-> Labor Unions were viewed as dangerous

The Pullman Strike (1894)

A staged walkout strike by railroad workers upset by drastic wage cuts. The strike was led by socialist Eugene Debs. Eventually President Grover Cleveland intervened because it was interfering with mail delivery and federal troops forced an end to the strike.

The American Federation of Labor (AFL)

a national organization of labor unions founded in 1886 by Samuel Gompers
-> until 1924 it was the most influential labor union in the U.S.