Labor Response

Labor ResponseAmerican StudiesWhat are Labor Unions?http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/23283671/vegas-fast-food-workers-set-to-strike-thursday

Poverty Level 2013: Family of 4 = $24,000Family of 3: $19,000-Individual: $12,000Minimum Wage: $7.25 x 40 hours/52 weeks = $15,080 a year Need to work 65 hours per week to reach $24,000

Practice QuestionWhy was the formation of labor unions an effect of U.S Industrialization in the late 1800s?

A. Unions were needed to guarantee a steady supply of workers.B. Union membership was required for employment in new industries.C. Factory owners set up labor unions in order to control their large workforce.D. Unions organized industrial workers to protest unsafe working conditions and long workdays.

Workers Problems during the Industrial Revolution:Unregulated, unsafe working conditions with long hours and low wages Complain: Get pay docked or get firedWorkers are fed up and demand rights

Labor Union: An organization of workers that join together to protect their rights and improve their conditionsBetter pay, better hours, safer environment, etc.

Rise of Labor UnionsCollective Bargaining: Union representatives negotiate with business owners for better conditions and treatmentArbitration: Settle dispute outside court, neutral mediator hears both sides and they agree to comply with third-party decision

http://www.history.com/topics/labor/videos#1930s-gm-sit-down-strike

Knights of LaborFounded in 1869 by Terence PowderlyOriginally a secret society due to fear of retaliation from monopoliesFor skilled and unskilled workers, all races and genders

1877: Railroad workers strike around the country-100 killed by US troops in riotPoor treatment of workers on strike increases union support and membership

Workers Goals8-hour dayRegulation of Child LaborGraduated Income TaxRestriction of immigrants to protect jobsUnions support Chinese Exclusion Act and Quota ActsWorker-owned FactoriesEqual pay for women

Problems with the UnionHaymarket Riot: Chicago 1886Workers gather in Haymarket Square to protest police brutalitySomeone throws bomb that kills 12 8 police officersLack of evidence: Anarchist workers accused8 riot organizers arrested and put on trial

Haymarket RiotAll found guilty, 7 workers sentenced to deathOne commits suicide in jail4 are hung in Illinois3 are eventually pardoned due to lack of evidenceConviction causes outrage in unions around the world

Fall of the Knights of LaborNewspapers and politicians depict unions as violent extremistsLack of govt and public support leads to a decline in membershipHold the labor movement back for years

Practice Question The Haymarket Riot broke out in Chicago to protest to unfair shooting of union protestors. After a bomb was thrown into the crowd, seven union members were sentenced to death with little evidence to prove their guilt. Though this caused outrage among laborers around the world, the ultimate outcome was:

A. Decline in Knights of Labor membership due to little public or government support.B. Increased public support and union membership.C. Government enacts laws to regulate business and help the workers.D. Protesting and strikes are made illegal.

American Federation of LaborAFL founded in 1886 by Samuel GompersIn Columbus, OhioBecomes one of the most successful, important, lasting unions of all timeOrganized trade/craft union that only accepts skilled workers

American Federation of LaborSimilar Goals to other unions, but less extreme:Focus on peaceful negotiationsEventually uses strikes/boycottsAvoids radical politicsSupports candidates that work for labor rights

Problems with the UnionNot accepting of all skills, races, genders1930s: Some unite to form committee of unskilled workers as branch of AFLAFL disagrees and groups splitCIO: Congress of Industrial Organizations (unskilled)

1955: Finally united skilled and unskilled workers as AFL-CIOUnion is exists and is one of the most successful in history

Picketershttp://www.hippocampus.org/History%20%26%20Government;jsessionid=102B9837BF272E7939F76EF394BB7765

Practice QuestionThe most successful and long-lasting labor union from this period was led by Samuel Gompers and was less radical, with simple, straight forward demands. This union, which still exists today, is called:

A. The Knights of LaborB. The Industrial Workers of the WorldC. The American Federation of LaborD. The International Ladies Garment Workers Union

International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU)Founded in 1900 by 7 NYC textile unionsFor skilled and unskilled workersMany were Jewish immigrantsGoals: Workmans Compensation benefitsImprove sweatshop conditionsBetter hours and paySafety regulationsSuccessful Marches (1909-1920)

ILGWU 1911: Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire 146 young women die in fire or fall to their deathsDoors were locked to prevent stealing and taking breaks100,000 attend funeral marchRallies support for union and safety regulations

Ladies Garment WorkersProblems: Divided leadershipFights about Communist influenceCant agree on negotiations

Later joined CIO then AFL-CIO1995: Joined other garment unions to form UNITEhttp://www.heritage.org/research/commentary/2008/04/do-americans-today-still-need-labor-unions

Union TacticsStrikes: Refuse to work until demands are metHow: Sit down or walk out until union negotiates a new contractNo one makes money until its over = pressure to agree

Americans support strikes back then? Violent and ChaoticBlacklisted: Union strikers put on a list so other companies wont hire them

Boycotts: Dont buy goods/services from companies that dont allow unions or treat workers fairly

Homestead Strike (1892)Steel Union vs. Homestead Steel Co. in Pennsylvania owned by Carnegiehttp://www.history.com/topics/labor/videos#andrew-carnegie-and-the-homestead-strikeWhy: Union refused to except wage reductionReplacement workers hiredViolent riotResults: State militia breaks strikeWorkers must accept wage reductionNo steel workers union again until 1930s

Practice QuestionStrikes were a very important part of life for workers during the Industrial Revolution. Describe what happened in the Homestead Steel Strike?

A. Workers went on strike due to low wages and received high pay peacefully.B. Workers signed individual contracts and avoided the strikeC. Workers went on strike against low pay, fought with guns resulting in death, and it caused the end of their union and lower wages.D. Workers went on strike due to high pay, fought with slogans and signs resulting in death and lower wages.

Pullman Strike: Chicago1894Why: Pullman Railroad workers get 25% wage cut, some laid offRent in the company town stayed the sameAmerican Railway Union led by Eugene V. Debs go on strikeStrikes break out nationwideResults: Picketers refuse to let trains leave ChicagoSet some on fire and halt mail deliveryGovt breaks up strike: obstruction to interstate commerce

Practice QuestionDuring the Industrial Revolution many people were against creating unions and strikes. Why?

A. They were very successful and people received better benefits. B. Many were unsuccessful and caused violence and chaosC. Many were tricked by the rich to believe they were evil.D. They were frowned upon because of Social Darwinism.

Lawrence Textile Strike1912: Lawrence ,MassachusettsWhy: Pay cut after new law shortens the work weekIndustrial Workers of the World (IWW) organize a diverse group of workersMostly immigrants and womenLasts two monthsResults: Starving kids sent to supporting familiesGain public supportWorkers all get a 20% raise

Practice QuestionDuring the Industrial Revolution of the late 19th century, farmers in the United States worked to increase their land holdings and modernize their equipment. A lasting effect of these changes was

A. higher prices for crops.B. increased rural population density.C. a shortage of land for farming.D. greater productivity for farmers

Agrarian ResponseAgrarian: Agriculture, farmingPositives for Farmers during the Industrial Revolution: Cheap land on the frontier and new technologyIncreases productivity with less workers

Problems: Lack of capital (money)Machines were expensiveDependent on railroadsIn dept to railroads and banksBad weather/drought leads to poor crop

Practice Question Though farmers had cheap land and new technology, they did not have enough capital (money) to combat bad weather, poor harvests, and low prices for food. They blamed most of their problems on:

A. The government not regulating big business.B. Railroads charging high prices for storage and transport of corn and grain.C. Not being able to pay back bank loans because of gold hoarding or money scarcity.D. All of the above.

The Granger MovementRailroads charge high prices: Farmers are forced to pay Charge extra to store grain in elevator before shipping itThey charge higher price for a short haul than a long haul shipment

Grangers form cooperatives: Pool their money together to buy/build and then share equipmentPractice QuestionThe Granger Movement was a social organization where farmers voiced their struggles. One of the solutions they came up with for their problems was:

A. Using strikes and boycotts to fight the high railroad prices.B. Creating cooperatives that bought grain elevators and machines in bulk for farmers to share.C. Leaving their farms and moving back to the cities to find factory jobs.D. Nominating their own candidate for president who would work for farmers rights.

Farmers AllianceMore political than GrangersEncourage state legislatures to pass laws regulating railroad freight and storage prices

Landmark Case: Munn vs. Illinois: Supreme Courts says state can set maximum rate for grain storageThe Populist PartyCincinnati (1890): New reform movement uniting farmers alliancesPopulist Party: Politicians who stand up for farmers rightsWant to make govt work for the farmersComplain about corrupt govt run by big business and the richGain influence/seats in local and state govt, the House and the SenateNational Convention of 1892Populist Platform: Graduated Income TaxGovt ownership/operation of railroads8 hr. workdayReferendum: Voter power to initiate ideas for new laws and to vote for/against new lawsUnlimited coinage of silver: create inflation in order to repay debts quickly

Practice QuestionIn 1890, the Farmers Alliances united to form the Populist Party. Their platform of beliefs and solutions for farmers included:

A. Flat income tax, 8 hr. workday, and government ownership of the banksB. Graduated income tax, 8 hr. workday, and continuation of the gold standardC. Graduated income tax, 8 hr. workday, and unlimited coinage of silverD. Flat income tax, government ownership of railroads, and direct election of Senators

Election of 1896Populists and Democrats nominate William Jennings BryanLoses to Republican William McKinleySupported gold: Eastern workers fear inflationOther parties adopt reform ideas: Even when 3rd/independent parties lose they can have major influenceReforms and Amendments16th Amendment (1913): Graduated Income Tax17th: Direct election of US Senators by popular voteInterstate Commerce Act (1887): Fed govt regulates railroadsEnforce reasonable ratesPooling and rebates are illegalPractice QuestionThough the Populist Party declined after the loss of William Jennings Bryan, their legacy was carried on by the major parties in the form of these reform laws:

A. The unlimited coinage of silver to create inflation and pay off debt.B. The regulation of working conditions and child labor laws.C. The 16th and 17th Amendment, as well as the Sherman Anti-Trust Act.D. The 16th and 17th Amendments, as well as the Interstate Commerce Act.