labor unions. video “norma rae” questions what are some of the hazards in the textile mill? why...
TRANSCRIPT
Labor Unions
Video “Norma Rae” Questions
What are some of the hazards in the textile mill?
Why didn’t workers want the union?
Why didn’t the company want the union?
What were some conflicts that occurred?
History
Labor unions came over to the U.S. colonies in 1620
Oldest form of unions were “guilds”
History
Guilds made up of skilled craftsmen Carpenters, cobblers & barrel makers
make sure members produced high quality goods and were treated fairly
History
By 1820’s labor unions managed to get the 12 hour work day reduced to 10 hours
History
Factory system grew during & after Civil War Invention of steam engine Growing use of water power to
operate machinery
History
Unions were formed Helps workers get organized Bargain for needs and rights To improve work conditions
Bargaining power is greater when in a group than individually
Labor Union Movement
Federation Organization of groups
National Labor Union Knights of Labor American Federation of Labor
Labor Union Movement
National Labor Union NLU 1866 -1872 Encouraged congress to pass 8 hour day Wanted to bring together all national labor
unions Favored arbitration over strikes 8 hour day was passed for government workers
but wages were also lowered
Labor Union Movement
Knights of Labor 1869 Uriah Stephens & Terrance Powdery Open to all workers demanded
an end to child labor Equal pay for women Cooperative employer-employee ownership
of mines and factories
Knights of Labor
Believed in Strikes Union Pacific Railroad Strike 1884
Victory Haymarket square riots 1886
Members were accused of throwing bombs that killed police officers
Tarnished the Knights of Labor – not involved
Labor Union Movement
American Federation of Labor AFL 1886 Samuel Gompers – member of cigar
markers union 300,000 members in 25 unions Organized only unions of skilled workers
American Federation of Labor
stressed working conditions pay control over jobs
Labor Union Movement 1800’s – 1900’s
Many demonstrations, riots & strikes
Wanted better Wages Working conditions
Federal government & local police were often called in to arrest union members
Riot Example
Pullman Strike Eugene Debs Boycott/striking the buying of sleeping
cars Government hired replacement workers
Riot Example
Triangle Shirt waist Company 1911 New York City Garment industry 150 employees died during a fire Mostly women Fire exits were locked to prevent theft
Department of Labor
Government created the Department of Labor 1914 Passed various laws to ensure rights of
union members
AFL & CIO CIO
Committee/congress for Industrial Organizations
Union of unskilled workers
AFL & CIO unite 1955 Made up 56 national & international
unions
AFL & CIO Legislation
Equal pay for equal work -- 1963
Age Discrimination act -- 1968
Civil Rights Act – 1964
Occupational Safety and Health Act -- 1970
AFL & CIO Legislation
Humphrey – Hawkins Act -- 1978
Union Decline
Reasons Employers keeping unions out
businesses New workers are less loyal to unions Products becoming more expensive
Sales lost to foreign competitors Workers lose jobs Technology
Pros of Unions Better wages Working conditions Support for issues Protected on your job Legal council-free Dues go for some good Seniority protection Don’t have to join
Cons of Unions No guarantee of better wages Rule of majority Can’t go to boss alone Can’t get rid of bad people Unfair use of legal council Dues have to be paid-money lost Super seniority for union officers Fair share in Wisconsin