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Labor Struggles and Union Growth in Early 20th Century America

In the early 1900s, American workers faced monotonous, dangerous working conditions as machines replaced skilled labor. The stark divide between the upper and lower classes highlighted the need for collective bargaining. Workers organized into unions, but faced opposition from employers, who often viewed unions as threats. The rise of early unions, particularly among craft workers, aimed to enhance negotiating power and improve wages. Key events such as the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 and the Pullman Strike demonstrated the tensions between labor and management. Women's roles in the workforce were limited and unions frequently excluded them from their ranks.

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Labor Struggles and Union Growth in Early 20th Century America

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  1. Unions in America Turn of Century

  2. Working Conditions • Machines replaced skilled labor • Result was monotonous work • Repetitive, highly specific tasks • Took little pride in work • Unhealthy and dangerous working conditions

  3. Way of Life • Rise in standard of living • Large division between upper and lower class • 1900 avg worker made .22/hr, 59hrs/wk • Deflation- rise in the value of money • Caused prices to fall • Companies paid workers less • Workers organized unions • A way to bargain collectively

  4. Early Unions • 2 types of workers • Craft workers- specific skills and training, higher wages, more control over time • Common laborers- few skills, lower wages • Trade unions- formed by craft workers • Limited to people with specific skills • Iron Molders’ International Union, International Typographical Union, Knights of St. Crispin Union

  5. Employers vs. Unions • Employers often forced to negotiate b/c they needed workers • Employers saw unions as bad • Mostly opposed industrial unions- craft and common laborers • Some required workers to take oaths or sign contracts against unions • Hired detectives • Lockout- locked workers out and refused to pay them to deal with strikes and unions • Blacklist- those who were supportive of unions • Not given jobs • Had to change names or move

  6. Unions and the Govt. • No laws giving workers right to organize • Courts ruled they were conspiracies • Believed to threaten American institutions • Marxism • Capitalism= workers would revolt, take over factories, and overthrow the govt. • A socialist society would then be created • Anarchism- no need for govt

  7. Unions and Strikes • Unions rarely successful in uniting • Confrontations led to violence and death • Great Railroad Strike of 1877 • Knights of Labor • Haymarket Riot • Pullman Strike

  8. American Federation of Labor • Leader= Samuel Gompers • Gave unions a better name • Encouraged negotiation • 3 goals • Get companies to recognize unions • Closed shops- only hire union members • 8 hour work day

  9. Women and the Workforce • Most women were domestic servants • Teachers, nurses, sales clerks, and secretaries • Industrial workers- only those jobs appropriate to gender • Paid less • Believed that women had someone supporting them • Unions excluded women • Women’s Trade Union League • 8 hr day, minimum wage, no evening work for women, no child labor

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