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Industrial Revolution
The new manufacturing methods of the Industrial Revolution made factory work so much different. The standards of living increased due to income of workers. The unions had very little place with workers because of the pay and life they had been given. -
The Labor Movement
There was a very large amount of immigration during this time, which allowed more people to work. This allowed people to have more time off of work, so people weren't working outrageous hours. With more unskilled workers, jobs weren't guaranteed so unions were needed to protect people's jobs. -
Civil War
Many new manufacturing opportunities, which meant better economy and more safe jobs. The unions weren't needed during that time because there were so many jobs in the U.S during that time. After the Civil War though, cost of living increased which also increased the need for workers to join unions. -
The Homestead Strike
A industrial lockout that ended in a battle between miners and private agents. With workers locked out, they still have to make money, so the union was a huge factor during this strike and strikes like these. While not being payed, the union could be an only option. -
Ludlow Massacre
An attack by the Colorado National Guardon 1,200 striking coal miners and their families. Many workers and families were killed. This strike left hundreds of workers without a job, which caused for a need in unions. -
The Seattle General Strike
Shipyard workers strikes for larger wages. For six days in February 1919, the first "general strike" in American history paralyzed the port city of Seattle. With nothing going in or out of the port,as well as not working, the unions would've helped in this situation to keep these workers with some money. -
The Great Depression
Many of Americans were left jobless after the market crash that caused the Great Depression. People who worked throughout the depression were in constant fear of losing their jobs. The loss of jobs and the fact that workers weren't needed caused a great need for unions throughout the 1930's. -
The Norris-LaGuardia Act
This act did not allow employers to prohibit workers from joining a union. The act banned Yellow-Dog contracts and didn't allow the courts to issue injunctions. With employers having to allow their workers to join unions, the unions was a very large factor during this time. -
The Fair Labor Standards Act
The FLSA established a minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards. This allowed for all workers to get the pay that they rightfully earn. With a minimum wage, workers felt more safe in the terms of getting the money they deserve, so unions were practically unneeded after this act passed. -
World War II
World War II allowed many more people to acquire jobs helping out with different aspects of the war. The jobs that the war created created much more money and raised us from the Great Depression. As more jobs were created, the Union was then not needed by workers to protect them and their jobs. -
The Landrum Griffen Act
This regulates the unions' internal affairs by having secret voting for leaders. Workers are protected against abuses by a bill of rights that includes guarantees of freedom of speech and periodic secret elections of officers. This put more trust into the unions which made more workers join them.
