The Rise of Unions and Labor Conditions in the Late 19th Century
Labor conditions in the late 1800s were harsh, with long work weeks, low wages, and no benefits for workers. Deflation caused a rise in the value of money, leading to resentment among workers who organized into unions to demand better wages and working conditions. Craft workers and common laborers formed early unions despite opposition from employers who used various tactics to prevent unionization. The struggle between workers and employers led to significant social and economic changes during this period.
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Unions { Chapter 12 Lesson 4
Labor Conditions and Deflation 6-7 day work week, 12 or more hours a day. No vacation, sick leave, unemployment, or workman s compensation for injuries on the job. Did repetitive, mind-numbing tasks with dangerous and faulty equipment. Wages were so low most families couldn t survive unless everyone worked. 1889 women earned $267 a year, men $498. 1900 average worker made 22 an hour and worked 59 hours a week Uneven division of wealth led to resentment among workers
Despite this, the standard of living rose dramatically Effects of Deflation (1865-1897) Deflation = rise in the value of money Price of goods fell, which meant you could buy more with little money Wages were cut throughout the late 1800s but because prices fell faster, you still had good buying power Workers resented having less money despite how much it could buy. Felt they needed to organize to get higher wages and better working conditions
Early Unions There were 2 types of workers: Craft workers Had special skills and training Received higher wages Had more control over their working conditions and time EX: machinists, iron workers Unionized first Common laborers No real skills Received lower wages Eventually formed industrial unions
Opposition to Unions Employers had to negotiate with craft unions because they represented workers with needed skills. Saw unions as conspiracies that interfered with property rights Methods used to prevent unions from forming: Workers were required to take oaths or sign contracts promising not to join a union Hired detectives to identify union organizers Workers who tried to unionize were fired and blacklisted so that no one else would hire them.
Methods used to break up unions: Lockouts = locked workers out of the property and refused to pay them If there was a strike, hired strikebreakers to come in and work These methods usually succeeded because there were no laws that gave workers the right to unionize or to require owners to negotiate. Courts frequently ruled against unions and their leaders Unions were also seen as being un-American and anarchist.
New Unions The Knights of Labor (1889) Organized non-skilled workers Opposed strikes in favor of arbitration Welcomed women and African-Americans Wanted an 8-hour workday, equal pay for women, no child labor, and worker-owned factories
The American Federation of Labor (1886) Focused on promoting the interest of skilled laborers Had 3 main goals: Convince companies to recognize unions and agree to collective bargaining Pushed for a closed shop Promoted an 8-hour workday Would not allow women or African-Americans to join
The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW; 1905) Wanted to organize all workers according to industry, not whether they were skilled or unskilled Were in favor of using strikes Never gained a large membership due to its radical philosophy and controversial strikes. Most successful was the 1912 Lawrence, MA textile strike.
Women and Organized Labor 1900 = women were more than 18% of the workforce in jobs that were considered women s work . 1/3 were domestic servants 1/3 were teachers, nurses, sales clerks, clerical workers 1/3 were industrial workers (garment industry or food- processing plants) Paid less than men doing the same job it was assumed she had a man at home to help her & men needed the money to support a family. Most unions excluded women
Mary Harris Mother Jones Worked as a labor organizer for the Knights of Labor Eventually worked to organize mine workers International Ladies Garment Workers Union Founded in 1900, represented men and women in the women s clothing industry 1909 strike got the ILGWU better wages and benefits for employees Women s Trade Union League (WTUL) Pushed for an 8 hour workday, a minimum wage, an end to evening work for women, and the abolition of child labor
Homestead Steel Strike, 1892 Conditions: Seeking to break the union, the Carnegie Steel Company rejects wage increase and proposes a 20% wage cut Union: Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel, and Tin Workers Tactics: Workers: Surround factory with pickets and armed workers to keep it shut down and keep strikebreakers out Employer: Locks workers out of the plant; hires Pinkertons to break strike
Homestead Steel Strike, 1892 Rule of Government: State government sends in militia to end violence between strikers and Pinkertons Outcome: Company hires strikebreakers Strike collapses after an anarchist tries to kill plant manager Henry Clay Frick
Pullman Railroad Strike, 1894 Conditions: Deep wage cuts without cuts in rent and food prices at company housing and company stores Union: American Railway Union Tactics: Workers: Refuse to handle any railcars built by Pullman; railroads are tied up nationwide Employer: Locks workers out of factory
Pullman Railroad Strike, 1894 Role of Government: Federal government gets court injunction to end strike because it interferes with shipment of US mail Federal troops end strike Outcome: ARU leaders jailed Strike ends unsuccessfully ARU membership declines
Lawrence Textile Strike, 1912 Conditions: Very low wages; high mortality rate among workers (many workers are young girls); extreme poverty among workers; strike begins after new wage cuts. Union: International Workers of the World (IWW) Strikers mostly female, immigrant textile workers Tactics: Workers: Picketing; union provides food and money to strikers; gains support by touring child workers around country Employer: Uses fire hoses on picketing workers
Lawrence Textile Strike, 1912 Role of Government: Local police and state and local militia make mass arrests, attack picketers After attack on women and children, strike is publicized Congress and President Taft investigate Outcome: Employers give in, grant workers demands
