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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