Chapter 6Chapter 6Collective Responses to WorkCollective Responses to Work

History of Collective Labor in the History of Collective Labor in the U.S.U.S.

1) Craft unions were local and, like guilds, protected 1) Craft unions were local and, like guilds, protected wages and working conditions. But when industry wages and working conditions. But when industry moved beyond local boundaries, unions broadened and moved beyond local boundaries, unions broadened and changed.changed.

2) Many workers resisted capitalism because they felt it 2) Many workers resisted capitalism because they felt it was antithetical to federalism. Some workers tried to was antithetical to federalism. Some workers tried to establish their own political party. Our winner take all, establish their own political party. Our winner take all, two party system makes anything but a political two party system makes anything but a political dichotomy impossible.dichotomy impossible.

3) What were working conditions like during early 3) What were working conditions like during early industrialization?industrialization?

Early UnionsEarly Unions

1) Knights of Labor1) Knights of Labor Organized workers of all skills, gender and Organized workers of all skills, gender and

races/ethnicities.races/ethnicities. Led by Terence PowderlyLed by Terence Powderly Popular in the 1880s.Popular in the 1880s. Believed in capitalism, but believed in worker Believed in capitalism, but believed in worker

own businesses.own businesses.

Early UnionsEarly Unions

2) Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)2) Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) Based on socialist ideals.Based on socialist ideals. Were powerful organizersWere powerful organizers Organized everyone, regardless of skill, Organized everyone, regardless of skill,

gender, race/ethnicitygender, race/ethnicity Gained momentum in early 20Gained momentum in early 20thth century century

Early UnionsEarly Unions

3) American Federation of Labor3) American Federation of Labor Most conservative union.Most conservative union. Only organized skilled, white men.Only organized skilled, white men. Led by Samuel GompersLed by Samuel Gompers Began in early 1890s.Began in early 1890s. Started the present structure of union Started the present structure of union

organization: business unionismorganization: business unionism

Early UnionsEarly Unions

4) CIO --Committee of Industrial 4) CIO --Committee of Industrial Organizations (later Committee became Organizations (later Committee became Congress)Congress) Began in 1920s.Began in 1920s. Organized unskilled white male workers.Organized unskilled white male workers. During the Depression, AFL fell in strength. During the Depression, AFL fell in strength.

CIO gained in strength introducing the sit-CIO gained in strength introducing the sit-down strike. (Flint, MI)down strike. (Flint, MI)

Early Union StrategiesEarly Union Strategies

1) Mass Strike – Citizen support of strikes 1) Mass Strike – Citizen support of strikes through marches. For example, May Day. through marches. For example, May Day. Famous 80,000 person protest in Chicago Famous 80,000 person protest in Chicago that led to Haymarket Riot.that led to Haymarket Riot.

2) General Strike – Several trades striking 2) General Strike – Several trades striking together.together.

3) Secondary Strikes3) Secondary Strikes 4) Sit-Down Strikes: Flint, Michigan Auto 4) Sit-Down Strikes: Flint, Michigan Auto

Workers.Workers.

Race Relations and UnionsRace Relations and Unions

1) What is Divide and Conquer1) What is Divide and Conquer

2) Divide and Conquer and Race2) Divide and Conquer and Race The politics of Whiteness was used by employers The politics of Whiteness was used by employers

in the early 1900s to divide workers.in the early 1900s to divide workers. i.e. Virden Riots of 1898.i.e. Virden Riots of 1898.

3) What divide and conquer strategies are 3) What divide and conquer strategies are used today?used today?

Gender and Divide and ConquerGender and Divide and Conquer

1) Unions have supported historically the 1) Unions have supported historically the concept of “women’s work:”concept of “women’s work:”

Family WageFamily Wage Not attempting to organize jobs predominantly Not attempting to organize jobs predominantly

filled by women: domestic workers and wait stafffilled by women: domestic workers and wait staff Not supporting comparable worth and service Not supporting comparable worth and service

workers that are presented as “unskilled.”workers that are presented as “unskilled.”

Government Resistance to Unions Government Resistance to Unions Prior to 1935Prior to 1935

1) Courts1) Courts The courts were the most active branch of govt The courts were the most active branch of govt

harming unions, “Freedom of Contract”harming unions, “Freedom of Contract” Issued Injunctions against striking workersIssued Injunctions against striking workers Supported race and gender discriminationSupported race and gender discrimination Applied Sherman Anti-Trust Act until 1914Applied Sherman Anti-Trust Act until 1914

2) Legislature– 2) Legislature– Allowed workers to organize but did not pass Allowed workers to organize but did not pass

legislation protecting those rightslegislation protecting those rights 3) Executive –3) Executive –

Called out U.S. militia to stop strikes and protestors.Called out U.S. militia to stop strikes and protestors. Did not prosecute aggressors.Did not prosecute aggressors.

Business Resistance to Unions Business Resistance to Unions Prior to 1935Prior to 1935

1) Pinkertons1) Pinkertons 2) Blacklisting2) Blacklisting 3) Yellow-dog contracts3) Yellow-dog contracts 4) Business Associations4) Business Associations

NLRA – Wagner Act 1935NLRA – Wagner Act 1935

1) The Depression led to increased protests and 1) The Depression led to increased protests and resistance.resistance.

2) Legislation passed to protect workers’ rights 2) Legislation passed to protect workers’ rights to organize. This legislation put rules on to organize. This legislation put rules on workers and employersworkers and employers For example, the most powerful weapon of workers For example, the most powerful weapon of workers

was now made illegal – wildcat strikewas now made illegal – wildcat strike Communists, the best organizers, were made illegal Communists, the best organizers, were made illegal

in unions.in unions. Business had to allow union organizers access to Business had to allow union organizers access to

employers off the clock without firing or harming employers off the clock without firing or harming involved workers.involved workers.

1947 Taft Hartley1947 Taft Hartley

1) Unions grew after Wagner until 1950s. 1) Unions grew after Wagner until 1950s. Greatest percentage of workers in unions Greatest percentage of workers in unions was 31%. Businesses worried so Taft was 31%. Businesses worried so Taft Hartley emergedHartley emerged Outlawed secondary boycotts and sympathy Outlawed secondary boycotts and sympathy

strikesstrikes Created “Right to Work” laws. 21 states have Created “Right to Work” laws. 21 states have

this.this. President can force striking workers back to President can force striking workers back to

work in the name of National Interest.work in the name of National Interest.

Issues Facing Unions TodayIssues Facing Unions Today

1) Declining union membership: 9% of private 1) Declining union membership: 9% of private workforce.workforce.

2) Businesses are allowed to move across 2) Businesses are allowed to move across international boundaries, but workers are not.international boundaries, but workers are not.

3) Manufacturing has moved overseas. 3) Manufacturing has moved overseas. Employers are more resistant to unionizing Employers are more resistant to unionizing service workers. service workers.

4) Workers are now trying to protect jobs and 4) Workers are now trying to protect jobs and healthcare rather than wages.healthcare rather than wages.

Pros and Cons of UnionsPros and Cons of Unions

1) Pros1) Pros

2) Cons2) Cons