1 / 11

The Struggle for Workers' Rights: Unions, Strikes, and the Fight for Better Conditions

This overview delves into the historical context of labor unions, highlighting the precarious working conditions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Workers faced hazardous environments, long hours, and low wages, with companies fiercely opposing union organization through blacklisting and hired detectives. Key events such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and significant strikes, including the Great Railroad Strike and Pullman Strike, shed light on the desperate need for reform. The rise of women in the workforce and the establishment of the Women's Trade Union League marked a significant step towards advocating for fair labor practices and improved working conditions.

rachel-puckett
Télécharger la présentation

The Struggle for Workers' Rights: Unions, Strikes, and the Fight for Better Conditions

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. UNIONS

  2. Working Conditions • Hazardous • Long Hours • Low wages • No Benefits • Women & Children • Machines made working conditions monotonous • Unsanitary conditions

  3. Opposition to Unions • Employers regarded unions as illegitimate conspiracies that interfered with property rights • Companies required workers to take oaths or sign a contract promising not to join unions • Hired detectives to seek out union organizers • Workers who tried to organize unions were “blacklisted” and could not get hired elsewhere • Companies used lockouts to break strikes • Companies hired replacement workers called “strikebreakers” or “scabs”

  4. Opposition (cont’d) • No laws giving workers right to organize • No laws requiring employers to negotiate with unions • Courts frequently ruled against unions • Marxism (Europe) argued that workers would eventually revolt, seize control of factories and overthrow the government. This would eventually lead to a socialist, then communistic society • Anarchists believed that society does not need any gov’t. and should ignite a revolution and topple the government.

  5. Triangle Shirtwaist Fire 1911 • A fire swept through clothing factory, Greenwich Village, NY • Building had no safety precautions, no fire escapes and all exits were locked so that workers could not leave during breaks • 146 women were killed • Factory owners indicted but acquitted • Led to Int’l. Ladies Garment Worker Union • State commission created to investigate factory and question working conditions in general • New laws imposed tougher municipal building codes and more stringent factory inspections

  6. Great Railroad Strike 1877 • Protesting wage cuts, blacklisting of members • Baltimore and Ohio RR’s strike • Bloodshed and destruction of RR property • President Hayes sends federal troops - first time to use such in management/labor dispute • Violence hurt their cause

  7. Haymarket Riot 1886 • In a Chicago strike, police kill union member • Anarchist group organize a protest against killing • 3,000 people gather to hear speeches • Someone throws a bomb at police, police open fire and workers shoot back. • 7 police officers and 4 workers were killed • Police arrest 8 workers and they are tried and found guilty of murder. 4 were executed. • Turned public opinion against unions, in particularly Knights of Labor as one arrested was a member

  8. The Pullman Strike 1894 • Protest against wage cut of 30-40% without rent reduction in a company owned town • Pullman Co. workers strike and appeal for help from ARU (American Railway Union) led by Eugene Debs • ARU agrees and stops working with Pullman rail cars. • RR bosses side with Pullman and assign Pullman cars to carry US Mail. Now a federal offense if ARU doesn’t carry US Mail • ARU refuses • 4000 strikebreakers hired • ARU attacks train • Federal troops brought in • Crushed the strike • Debs arrested • Marked first effective use of injunction against labor unions

  9. Knights of Labor (late 1870s) • Organized by Uriah Stephens • Supported: - 8 hour workday - equal pay for women - abolition of child labor - creation of worker-owned factories (co-ops) • Preferred using boycotts instead of strikes • Arbitration – an impartial third party helps workers and management reach an agreement • Haymarket Riot undermined their reputation

  10. American Federation of Labor 1881 • Organized by Samuel Gompers • Shunned political crusades and cooperatives • Fought for basic things such as higher wages and better working conditions • Three main goals: - tried to convince employers to recognize unions and agree to collective bargaining - pushed for closed shops – companies could only hire union members - promoted an 8 hour workday • Separated craft unions • 1900 – biggest union in country

  11. Working Women • By 1900 women made up more than 18% of the labor force • 1903 Mary Kenney O’Sullivan and Leonora O’Reilly with the help of Jane Addams and Lillian Wald, they established the Women’s Trade Union League (WTUL) • Pushed for 8 hour day, creation of minimum wage, end to evening work for women and abolition of child labor

More Related