Aim: Why did labor unions develop? Do Now: What is a union? What are some benefits of being part of a union? November 19, 2012 Ms. Bragman/Mrs. Herth

Factories during the Gilded Age Machines are more important than people Workers are powerless Sweatshops develop  a workplace where people labor long hours in poor conditions for low pay  In 1900, it was reported that over 2 million children under age 15 were at work around the country. This lead to…  Little time for schooling  Less of a chance to build a better life later on

What were the conditions like for child workers?

Knights of Labor  In 1869, skilled workers formed the “Knights of Labor” union  Held meetings in secret – they would be fired if bosses found out  In 1879, Terence Powderly was elected President.  He worked to strengthen the union by allowing immigrants, women, unskilled workers, and African-Americans join. What was significant about his beliefs?  He did not believe in strikes

Goals of the Knights Goals Shorter workday End to child labor Equal pay for men and women Wanted workers and employers to share ownership and profits

Violence in Haymarket Square In 1886, workers at the McCormick Harvester Company in Chicago went on strike. The Knights did not endorse Strikebreakers were hired to replace the strike workers On May 3, workers clashed with the strikebreakers. Police opened fire and four workers were killed.

Haymarket Riot  The next day, thousands of workers gathered in Haymarket Square to protest the killings  The rally was led by anarchists – people who oppose all forms of organized government  a bomb exploded at the rally killing 7 police officers  8 Anarchists were arrested, tried, convicted, and hanged for the incident with no hard evidence linking them to the crime What was the major effect of the riot in Haymarket Square?  A wave of anti-labor feeling swept across the nation

American Federation of Labor  In 1886, Samuel Gompers organized the AFL in Columbus, Ohio for skilled workers only.  Workers did not join directly –instead they joined a trade union (a union of persons working the same trade).  Stressed practical goals  Higher wages  Shorter hours  Improved working conditions  Worked for collective bargaining – the right of unions to negotiate with management for workers as a group  Supported the use of strikes to achieve its goals

Women at work  By 1890, 1 million women worked in American factories  Women outnumbered men in the garment industry  Mary Harris Jones (Mother Jones) became a leader in helping workers achieve rights  She called attention to the abuses of children  Paved the way for reform

Organizing Garment Workers  In 1900, garment workers organized the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWC)  More than 20,000 women and men walked off their jobs in 1909  After a few weeks, employers met the unions demands  Despite the successes of labor unions, most women didn’t join, until a tragic event occurred….

Triangle Tragedy  In 1911, a fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City  Hundreds of workers raced for the exits, but they were locked because the company didn’t want workers leaving early.  Fire trucks arrived immediately, but their ladders couldn’t reach the upper floors  Nearly 150 people, mostly young women lost their lives in the Triangle Fire  The deaths shocked the public and it forced New York and other states to approve new safety laws to protect factory workers.

Triangle Fire

Economic Trouble  Between 1870 and 1900 there were two major depressions and three small recessions.  Workers lost their jobs or faced pay cuts  Union workers staged thousands of strikes during the late 1800’s  The federal government usually took the side of the factory owner  The public rarely supported strikes Were labor unions successful during this time period?  Workers did make some gains  Wages rose slightly  Overall, union growth was going to be very slow