The Growth of the American Labor

MovementAPUSH

#1. HOW DID INDUSTRIALIZATION

IMPACT AMERICA’S CLASS STRUCTURE?

#1It enhanced a sense of belonging to a

“class”

New Jobs◦ Upper class: owned the factories◦ Middle class: small businessmen; BUT also

managers to run factories; doctors and lawyers◦ Lower class (working class): factory workers; low

wages

New Products ◦ The poor’s lack of ability and the rich’s ability to

get products enhanced their senses of class

#2. WHY DID THE LOWER (WORKING) CLASS GROW

ALIENATED?

#2Low wagesBad living conditionsBoring jobsScientific management – Workers

HATED itStructured workplacesDangerous workplaces

#3. MANAGEMENT VS. LABOR

Labor Unrest: 1870-1900

Management vs. Labor

“Tools” of Management

“Tools” of Labor

“scabs”

P. R. campaign

Pinkertons

Lockout

Blacklisting

Yellow-dog contracts

Court injunctions

Open shop

Boycotts

Sympathy demonstrations

Informational picketing

Closed shops

Organized strikes

“wildcat” strikes

A Striker Confronts a SCAB!

#4. HOW DID THE WORKING CLASS PROTEST

THE BAD CONDITION IT LIVED IN?

#4The working class formed labor unions

#4A. National Labor Union

Tried to unite all workers in the United States

Won 8 hour day for federal government employees

#4B. Knights of Labor

Terence PowderlyDesired socialist societyIncluded African-Americans & women

(weakness)Divided on strikesDeclined after Haymarket Riot

(Chicago) in 1886

Knights of Labor

#4C. American Federation of Labor

Samuel GompersConcentrated on wages and working

conditionsCraft workers: skilled, white males

(strength)2 million members by 1904

American Federation of Labor

#5. HOW DID MANAGEMENT RESPOND TO THE LABOR UNIONS?

#5LockoutsBlacklistsYellow-dog ContractsPrivate Guards and State MilitiasCourt InjunctionsPromoted idea that unions were

anarchist and un-American

The Corporate “Bully-Boys”…

Pinkerton Agents

#6. WHO GENERALLY WON IN THE BATTLE BETWEEN

LABOR UNIONS AND MANAGEMENT?

#6A. Great Railroad Strike (1877)

Great Railroad Strike of 1877

#6B. Haymarket Riot (1886)

Haymarket Martyrs

#6C. Homestead Strike (1892)

Pullman Cars

Pullman Porter

#6D. Pullman Strike (1894)

#6C. Pullman Strike (1894)

#7. ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST LABOR

UNIONS

Arguments Against Labor UnionsEmployer’s right to control own

property and be free from what could impair the value of his capital

Employees don’t have the right to take away employer’s power and control

Unions encourage foreign laborUnions encourage non-union labor

that will result in better pay and hours for these workers

Arguments Against Labor UnionsUnions provide an opportunity for

nonunion laborers to move up and advance

Union strikes have caused too much violence and loss which are beginning to breed disunity

Continued failure of strikes only proves that workers cannot control capital

Workers if unhappy with conditions don’t have to continue working there

Arguments For Labor UnionsEmployers posses too much power

and workers cannot make changes on their own…◦ Retain high-priced lawyers◦ Buy up local press◦ Bribe judges for injunctions on strikes◦ Lockouts◦ Manipulate workers to sign nonunion

contracts◦ Blacklist troublemakers◦ Hire thugs or scabs

Arguments For Labor UnionsWorkers have the right to work in safe,

healthy conditionsWorkers shouldn’t have to give whole

life to employers – what about inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness???

Workers have a right to earn wages comparable to the benefits their work gives their employer and that provide a sustainable life for their families

Arguments For Labor UnionsNational wealth obtained by the

sacrifice of the masses is not healthyHaven’t trusts and monopolies

themselves been created through a cooperative effort???

Unions have brought about safer working conditions, child labor laws, and reform within the workplace