14.3: Labor Unions Share with your partner(s) what you already may know about labor unions: - examples of some - what they do or try to do - good or bad for economy/society/gov’t Minilesson: Notes “Homestead Strike” Video

Labor Force Distribution 1870-1900

The Changing American Labor Force

II. Union Movements A. Working Conditions 10 hour shifts 6 days a week low wages no retirement benefits no medical coverage no worker’s compensation injuries on job pregnant women often fired child labor - as young as 8 years old - low school attendance

I. Sherman Antitrust Act [1890] A. Gov’t Takes Steps Sherman Antitrust Act (1890): trust illegal if interferes with free trade - “trust” not defined - “paper tiger”  too difficult for gov’t to enforce - corps. have so much $ to fight legal battles - special interests  influence over gov’t

Child Labor

Child Labor

“Galley Labor”

B. Craft Unionism ONLY skilled workers from one or more trades. Samuel Gompers helps found American Federation of Labor (AFL) collective bargain  negotiate for all union members

C. Industrial Unionism included skilled, unskilled workers in an industry Eugene V. Debs forms American Railway Union -uses strikes D. Socialism and the IWW Labor activism turned to socialism: - Government control of business, property - Equal distribution of wealth Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), or Wobblies, forms 1905 - radical unionists, socialists - industrial unions give unskilled workers solidarity

Management vs. Labor “Tools” of Management “Tools” of Labor “scabs” [non-Union] public relations campaign Pinkertons [armed private police] lockout blacklisting yellow-dog contracts [oath never to join union] court injunctions [stop strike] open shop boycotts sympathy demonstrations informational picketing closed shops organized strikes “wildcat” strikes

Labor Unrest: 1870-1900

III. Strikes Turn Violent A. The Homestead Strike 1892, Carnegie Steel workers strike over pay cuts - take over control of factory Pinkerton Detective Agency [well-armed private police force] hired to protect scabs - well-armed and paid to break up strikes by force strikers win Penn. Nat’l guard called in  plant reopens Steelworkers do not remobilize for 45 years

B. Great Strike of 1877 Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad strike spreads to other lines over paycut governors say impeding interstate commerce Pres. Hayes sends federal troops - intervention—ends strike

The Molly Maguires (1875) James McParland

The Corporate “Bully-Boys”: Pinkerton Agents

A Striker Confronts a SCAB!

B. The Haymarket Affair 3,000 gather at Chicago’s Haymarket Square, protest police brutality Police show up - crowd began to disperse - bomb thrown at police lines  police open fire - 8 charged with inciting a riot  convicted  hanged public opinion turns against labor movement

C. The Pullman Company Strike Pullman lays off 3,000, cuts wages but not rents - workers strike Pullman refuses arbitration - hires scabs  violence Pres Cleveland sent federal troops - Debs jailed - most workers fired - many blacklisted

E. Women Organize Women barred form many unions; unite behind powerful leaders Mary Harris “Mother” Jones—most prominent organizer in women’s labor: - Works for United Mine Workers. - Leads children’s march Pauline Newman—organizer for International Ladies’ Garment Workers 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist factory results in public outrage—146 women died