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Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution started the process of mass production, by people working on assembly lines using power-driven machines. Machines changed the way of life. People in organized labor unions fought for better wages, reasonable hours, and safer working conditions. The labor movement led efforts to stop child labor, give health benefits, and provide aid to workers. People rioted by destroying machines. -
Civil War
A Civil War broke out between the North and South in America. The rise of anti-slavery movements lead to the downfall of the South. After the Civil War, the cost of living increased causing large corporation to decrease wages which causes more labor unions to form. In 1886, the National Labor Unions, a coalition of unions, was founded. They supported 8 hour work days and the printing of money paper. -
Atlanta's Washerwoman Strike
Black laundresses went on strike for higher wages, respect for their work, and control over how their work was organized. They took on Atlanta's business and political establishment. If they had threatened to call a strike then the city would have shut down because they had gained so much support. -
American Federation of Labor Unions
The American Federation of Labor (AFL) was a national federation of labor unions in the United States. It was founded in by an alliance of craft unions including Samuel Gompers. Workers wanted higher wages and better working conditions. Gompers knew that the ALF would have more political and economic power if unskilled workers were excluded. Smart leadership, patience, and realistic goals made life better for thousands of working Americans. -
Homestead Strike
The Homestead Strike won the steeelworks favorable three-year contract, but Carnegie was determined to break the union. The Pinkertons, union guards, 2343 sent in to control the strikers. The Pinkertons surrendered and some were even killed. -
Ludlow Massacre
Coal miners in this strike held out for 14 months in makeshift tent colonies on the Colorado prairie. The miners announced they would begin a strike if the operators would not meet a list of demands, such as recognition of the union, an 8-hour work day, choose their own boarding places, and enforcement of Colorado mining laws and abolition of the company guard system.They established a tent colony that was eventally destroyed. The miner's strike was defeated and they had to return back to work. -
Wagner Act
The Wagner Act established the National Labor Relations Board and addressed relations between unions and employers in the private sector. Its main purpose was to establish the legal right of most workers to organize or join labor unions. It set up the National Labor Relations Board with the power to hear and resolve labor disputes. -
Timber Workers Strike of 1935
The men in the timber industry were tired of their small wages, conditions, and lack of job security. The workers felt they deserved more of the wealth that the timber industry was creating. By the end of the strike federal legislation provided legal footing for the creation of strong unions. -
World War II
World War II broke out as Hitler began to rise to power. It resulted in the expansion of the Soviet Union’s power to eastern Europe and enabled a communist movement in China. During this time, about 35% of people in United States were involved in unions. The buildup for the war resulted in more jobs, higher wages, and growing unions. Many strikes took place because workers were being assigned to unions which causes defense production to go down. -
Taft Hartley Act
The Taft Hartley Act restricts the powers and activities of labor unions. It prohibited strikes and boycotts. The main purpose was to correct the union's unfair labor practices. -
Right to Work Laws
The Right to Work Laws gives Americans the right to work without belong to a union. They guarantee that no person can be compelled, as a condition of employment, to join or not to join, or to pay dues to a labor union. The National Right to Work Committee has claimed that workers in Right to Work states enjoy a higher standard of living than do non-Right to Work states. Today only 26 out of the 50 states in America have put these laws into effect.
