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Labor Unions

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

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Labor Unions

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  1. Labor Unions

  2. 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?

  3. History • Labor unions came over to the U.S. colonies in 1620 • Oldest form of unions were “guilds”

  4. History • Guilds made up of skilled craftsmen • Carpenters, cobblers & barrel makers • make sure members produced high quality goods and were treated fairly

  5. History • By 1820’s labor unions managed to get the 12 hour work day reduced to 10 hours

  6. History • Factory system grew during & after Civil War • Invention of steam engine • Growing use of water power to operate machinery

  7. 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

  8. Labor Union Movement • Federation • Organization of groups • National Labor Union • Knights of Labor • American Federation of Labor

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. American Federation of Labor • stressed • working conditions • pay • control over jobs

  14. 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

  15. Riot Example • Pullman Strike • Eugene Debs • Boycott/striking the buying of sleeping cars • Government hired replacement workers

  16. 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

  17. Department of Labor • Government created the Department of Labor • 1914 • Passed various laws to ensure rights of union members

  18. AFL & CIO • CIO • Committee/congress for Industrial Organizations • Union of unskilled workers • AFL & CIO unite • 1955 • Made up 56 national & international unions

  19. AFL & CIO Legislation • Equal pay for equal work -- 1963 • Age Discrimination act -- 1968 • Civil Rights Act – 1964 • Occupational Safety and Health Act -- 1970

  20. AFL & CIO Legislation • Humphrey – Hawkins Act -- 1978

  21. 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

  22. 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

  23. 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

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