Unit 5 Labor Movement

Workers Face New Problems Impersonal Conditions Unpleasant living conditions Long Hours Lack of Advancement Opportunity Boring, repetitive tasks Periodic Unemployment Low Wages Child Labor Dangerous Conditions

Workers Organize Union Goals Obtain higher wages and better working conditions Workers could strike to force a shut down of the facilities and make owners meet their demands of higher salaries and better working conditions “Mutual aid” societies Union members would contribute to special funds to help other union members in times of need Place pressure on government Unions also pressured government officials to vote in favor of their demands by getting union members to all vote for politicians that sympathized with them

National Voice The Knights of Labor Founded in 1869 by Terrence Powderly Skilled and unskilled workers were encouraged to join, and African Americans, women, and farmers were welcome to join They demanded an 8 hour work day, higher wages, and safer working conditions. They also opposed child labor, and wanted equal pay for women and restrictions on immigration

American Federation of Labor Started in 1881 by Samuel Gompers, the organization changed it’s name to American Federation of Labor in 1886 Membership was restricted to skilled workers Women were not admitted, and African Americans were often excluded The AFL wanted an 8 hour work day, better working conditions, higher pay, and a “closed shop” policy

Labor Union Tactics Unions created a “picket line” to draw public attention to their cause. Also to prevent temporary workers from entering the facility Workers would contribute to a strike fund, so they would have a little income while on strike

Management Responses Management used strike-breakers: temporary workers to take the place of union workers Management would fire union workers that went on strike Management would lockout the workers Management forced workers to sign “yellow dog” contracts Management would “blacklist” union workers Management used private detectives to spy on their employees Management would often seek an injunction

Role of Government Reasons government tended to side with business owners in the late 19th century Small # of union workers, and public opinion did not support unions Unions were viewed as violent, and supporting European immigrant ideas Businesses contributed to political campaigns Laissez faire – believed business had the right to hire / fire anyone they wanted to Felt strikes could be disruptive and dangerous to communities, and they needed to protect private property

Haymarket Riot (1886) Nationwide strike on May 1, 1886 – this led to a rally in Haymarket Square in Chicago on May 4th Police tried to disperse the crowd, when a bomb was thrown from the crowd killing 1 police officer. Ultimately, 6 more police and 4 protesters were killed that evening 8 protesters were put on trial and convicted: 4 were hung, 1 committed suicide, 2 given life sentences, and 1 given a shorter sentence This incidence gave the unions a reputation of violence, and the Knights of Labor dissolved soon afterward

Homestead Strike (1892) Andrew Carnegie and Henry Frick were determined to break the union when it came time for a new contract to be negotiated Frick made unrealistic offers and when the union rejected them, he locked the workers out from the steel mill at Homestead Frick hired Pinkerton detectives to reopen the mill The state militia was called in to break through the picket line and allow strike-breakers “scabs” to work in the mill Members of the steel workers union were fired and “blacklisted” The steel union collapsed

Pullman Strike (1894) George Pullman owned Pullman, Illinois – a company town Pullman lowered his workers wages, but refused to lower the rent and food prices, so his workers went on strike Eugene Debs helped form the American Railway Union, and encouraged his members not to handle trains with Pullman cars The strike virtually shut down railroads in the western U.S. President Cleveland intervened and sent in federal troops to break up the strike In 1895, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court injunction ending the strike. This destroyed the American Railway Union, and Eugene Debs was arrested, serving 6 months in prison

Ideology Capitalists – Favored a market based economic system in which individuals or corporations privately own the means of production Social Darwinists – Believed that humans compete for survival and that those who are naturally superior will meet with the greatest success Communists – Led by Karl Marx, and called for violent revolution by workers (proletariat) to overthrow the “bourgeoisie” and establish a classless society Socialists – Favored government ownership of the means or production to improve conditions for workers Anarchists – Favored a radical political theory opposing all forms of government in favor of self-governing communities