24.6 Labor Unions

Do Now Activity Write down responses to the following two questions: What is more important: The rights of workers or the rights of businesses? Why? What are unions and how do they protect workers rights? Do unions ever harm workers rights?

Vocabulary Trade Unions Knights of Labor Strikes Strikbreakers Haymarket Square The American Federation of Labor Homestead Strike Henry Clay Frick Rose Schneiderman International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union The Uprising of 20,000

Knights of Labor Early labor unions were “Trade Unions” 1869- Uriah Stephens organized The Knights of Labor to unite “men and women of every craft, creed, and color” into “one common brotherhood.” They lead several successful strikes against telegraph and railroad companies. The union gained over 700,000 members

Knights of Labor 1886- 200,000 workers nationwide went on strike to demand an 8 hour work day Haymarket Square in Chicago- A bomb was thrown at the police, and police shot back injuring workers. Four workers were sentenced to death without evidence. Fearing violence, employers fired those associated with the KOL. Membership declined.

American Federation of Labor As membership in the KOL declined, a new group was formed- The American Federation of Labor (AFL). Instead of strikes, the AFL used collective bargaining. Union representatives met with employers to try to reach agreements. Many employers were weary of AFL and made employees vow not to join.

The Homestead Strike Some bosses used force against unions When workers at a Carnegie steel plant in Homestead, Penn. struck, Henry Clay Frick (Carnegie’s partner) made plans to reopen the plant with non-union workers. He protected strikebreakers with 300 armed guards. A battle broke out between guards and strikers- some died. The union collapsed in defeat.

Women Organize Rose Schneiderman organized the woman in her factory as part of the National Board of United Cloth Hat and Cap Makers The largest women’s union was the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union, representing women in clothing factories 1909- thousands of NY garment workers walked off their jobs to protest poor working conditions and low pay Support grew for “The Uprising of the 20,000.” Better pay and shorter workweeks were granted, but safety improvements were not.