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The Civil War
The Civil War increased manufacturing needs within the states. When the need for production increased, more people were able to work. Once more people were working, it helped increase the economy. -
Great Southwest Railroad Strike
The railroad workers complained of unsafe conditions, terrible hours and being under paid. When gone unheard, 200,000 workers across 5 states refused to work. With the threat of hiring non-union workers was brought up, they quit the strike and went back to work. -
The Pullman Strike
Automotive makers in chicago striked after working 12 hour days and paycuts from the economy. The workers were soon joined by the railroad workers and shut down the train traffic in Chicago. It came to and end when President Cleveland sent in federal troops. It sparked sympathy for workers and a prounion attitude. -
Ford introduces Model T
With the manufacturing of the automobile was made faster and easier, it made cars cheaper. When the cars cost decreased and the workers needed decreased as well, the demand for workers decreased too. Ford did not need as many car assemblers as they previously had. -
Steel Strike of 1919
After WW1, steel workers decided to strike against the companies for poor wages, long hours and harassment from corporations for union involvment. They eventually got 350,000 workers to strike and shut down half the steel industry. Company owners turned it against the union by blaming it on communism and immigration which the began disorginization of unions within the stell industry for the next 15 years. -
The Great Depression
When the stock market crashed, people lost a lot of money. When they lost their money people needed a job and would do anything for just a little bit of money. Work was cheap and workers could easily be replaced. -
The Wagner Act
The act says that 3 members appointed by the president are in charge of enforcing workers rights, rather than disputing them. It created its aency called the National Labor Relations Board. It is mostly known for giving employees the right to form a union. -
The Fair LAbor Standards Act
This act ensured that there was standard set for employers and what they had to do for their employees. It set the minimum wage as well as overtime pay. It also changed youth employment and set different standards of those underage. -
World War 2
World War 2 was a worldwide event in which helped America get out of the Great Depression. The war brought a need for more manufacturing, on an even larger scale. During the war, there were 35% of the labor force in the union. -
Immigration and Nationality Act
This act created a quota of 120,000 visas granted per year. This then led to illegal immigration and having illegals immigrants within the labor force. The unions then had to figure out what to do with illegal immigrants and what their policy should be for them. -
UPS Workers Strike
The empolyees of UPS wanted full-time jobs rather part-time and increased wages. Not only did they want higher pay, they also wanted to be included in the companies pension plan. The workers got support from the public and had all their demand met.
