1. Unions

2. The Gulf between Rich and Poor In 1890 the richest 9% controlled 75% of the nation’s wealthIn 1890 the richest 9% controlled 75% of the nation’s wealth Socialism: Favors Public rather than Private Control of Property and incomeSocialism: Favors Public rather than Private Control of Property and income –Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels The Communist ManifestoThe Communist Manifesto Denounce Capitalist economy and predicted it would be over thrownDenounce Capitalist economy and predicted it would be over thrown Rejected by most workers as it violated the American ideals of Private Property, Free Enterprise and Individual LibertyRejected by most workers as it violated the American ideals of Private Property, Free Enterprise and Individual Liberty

3. The Rise of Labor Unions Early Labor Unions began to appear during the Civil War Early Labor Unions began to appear during the Civil War –Began to provide aid during bad times, but ended up presenting the workers demand to employers

4. The Knights of Labor Formed in Philadelphia in 1869Formed in Philadelphia in 1869 Hoped to organize all working men and women, skilled and unskilled into one union.Hoped to organize all working men and women, skilled and unskilled into one union. Membership included farmers and factory workersMembership included farmers and factory workers Recruited African Americans and WomenRecruited African Americans and Women Disappeared after a number of failed strikesDisappeared after a number of failed strikes

5. The American Federation of Labor Formed in 1886 by Samuel GompersFormed in 1886 by Samuel Gompers Was a Craft Union, organized only skilled workersWas a Craft Union, organized only skilled workers Often excluded African Americans and WomenOften excluded African Americans and Women Focused on Workers Wages, Hours, and working conditionsFocused on Workers Wages, Hours, and working conditions Relied on economic pressure such as strikes and boycottsRelied on economic pressure such as strikes and boycotts Collective Bargaining: A process in which workers negotiate as a group with employersCollective Bargaining: A process in which workers negotiate as a group with employers

6. The Wobblies The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW or Wobblies)The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW or Wobblies) Focused on Unskilled workersFocused on Unskilled workers Included many Socialist among it’s leadershipIncluded many Socialist among it’s leadership During World War I many leaders where convicted of promoting strikes in war-related industriesDuring World War I many leaders where convicted of promoting strikes in war-related industries

7. Reaction of Employers Forbid Union MeetingsForbid Union Meetings Firing Union OrganizersFiring Union Organizers Forcing Employees to sign “Yellow Dog” contracts, in which workers promised to never join a union or participate in a strikeForcing Employees to sign “Yellow Dog” contracts, in which workers promised to never join a union or participate in a strike Refusing to bargain collectively when strikes did occurRefusing to bargain collectively when strikes did occur Refusing to recognize unions as the workers’ legitimate representatives.Refusing to recognize unions as the workers’ legitimate representatives.

8. In 1902 George F. Baer wrote “The rights and interest of the laboring man will be protected and cared for-not by the labor agitators, but by the Christian men to whom God…has given control of the property interest of the country….”In 1902 George F. Baer wrote “The rights and interest of the laboring man will be protected and cared for-not by the labor agitators, but by the Christian men to whom God…has given control of the property interest of the country….”

9. Railroad Workers Organize

10. The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 Began when the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad announced a wage cut of 10%Began when the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad announced a wage cut of 10% Railroads also began to use “Double Headers” or trains with two engines that were longer and more dangerousRailroads also began to use “Double Headers” or trains with two engines that were longer and more dangerous Workers go on strike and riots beginWorkers go on strike and riots begin President Rutherford B. Hayes sends in the ArmyPresident Rutherford B. Hayes sends in the Army From this point on the Army is used to stop strikes, a new and violent era had begunFrom this point on the Army is used to stop strikes, a new and violent era had begun

11. Eugene V. Debs and the American Railway Union Thought Violence had no place in strikesThought Violence had no place in strikes Thought the unions mission should “not to antagonize capitol”Thought the unions mission should “not to antagonize capitol” Proposed and new Industrial Union for all railway workers forming the American Railway Union in 1893Proposed and new Industrial Union for all railway workers forming the American Railway Union in 1893

12. “If fair wages [were] the return for efficient service, [then] harmonious relations may be established and maintained…and the necessity for strikes and lockout, boycott and blacklist, alike disastrous to employer and employee, and a perpetual menace to the welfare of the public, will forever disappear.” – Eugene V. Debs“If fair wages [were] the return for efficient service, [then] harmonious relations may be established and maintained…and the necessity for strikes and lockout, boycott and blacklist, alike disastrous to employer and employee, and a perpetual menace to the welfare of the public, will forever disappear.” – Eugene V. Debs

13. Strikes Rock the Nation

14. Haymarket, 1886 Fought for an 8 hour work day.Fought for an 8 hour work day. Anarchist joined the strikers and fired them up.Anarchist joined the strikers and fired them up. Anarchist were convicted for conspiracy to commit murder after the riotsAnarchist were convicted for conspiracy to commit murder after the riots

15. Homestead, 1892 Carnegie Steel workers in Homestead PA strike to protest a wage cutCarnegie Steel workers in Homestead PA strike to protest a wage cut The Pinkerton’s were called in. (A private security force)The Pinkerton’s were called in. (A private security force) At first public sympathy was with the strikers, but when an Anarchist tried to assassinate the head of Carnegie steel public opinion turned against them.At first public sympathy was with the strikers, but when an Anarchist tried to assassinate the head of Carnegie steel public opinion turned against them.

16. Pullman, 1894 Pullman built a town for his factory and the workers. They had parks, schools, a theatre, a church, sidewalks, and remarkable sanitation and health conditionsPullman built a town for his factory and the workers. They had parks, schools, a theatre, a church, sidewalks, and remarkable sanitation and health conditions The workers thought Pullman had to much control over their lives, including a ban on alcohol.The workers thought Pullman had to much control over their lives, including a ban on alcohol. When Pullman laid off workers and cut wages, but kept rent the same the workers went on strike.When Pullman laid off workers and cut wages, but kept rent the same the workers went on strike. The rest of the Railway industry followed suit and disrupted all rail traffic.The rest of the Railway industry followed suit and disrupted all rail traffic. The Sherman-Anti Trust act was used against the Union setting the standard that the government would use for the next 30 years.The Sherman-Anti Trust act was used against the Union setting the standard that the government would use for the next 30 years.