...Good evening everyone, I came here tonight prepared to speak with you all about American Labor Union History going back to the Eighteenth Century. Due to time restraints, I am now being asked to give you the top three most important events in American Labor Union History. There have been so many significant events, picking the three most important is a very difficult task. However, I will rise to the occasion and give you lovely folks what I believe to be the three most important events in American Labor Union History. The three I will speak briefly about are; the formation of The Knights of Labor in 1885, The Wagner Act of 1935, and the merger between AFL and the CIO creating the AFL-CIO in 1955. The foundation of The Knights of Labor is especially significant because this was the first time in American Labor Union History that there was an attempt to form one large general union. The early years of The Knights of Labor were very successful. This union offered membership to skilled and non-skilled workers as well as women and African Americans. Between 1885 and 1886 nearly 600,000 members joined under leader Terence Powderly seeking eight hour work days, equal pay, and to do away with child labor. The Knights won a major strike against the Wabash Railroad which led to the quick increase in membership. However, by the late 1880’s the organization was practically extinct due to lack of leadership for such an overwhelming quick increase in membership . The Wagner Act...
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...Labor Management Relations Labor management as a definitive term spans over the centuries. Despite the age and issues presented over the years, labor management and, more pointedly, unions continue to be the subject of great debate in today’s business and government environments. As workers and union representatives remain in the forefront of corporate debates over workers rights and wages, one must question how effective labor management relations are today. Unions present the opportunity for workers to have a representative voice; however, as history proves, unions also present the opportunity for union heads to fulfill self-serving agendas that offer little, if any, respite to workers. As such, this paper examines the history of labor management relations to set the stage for included discussion on current labor and union issues to determine how beneficial unions are and whether they do more harm than good in protecting workers’ rights. History Von Otter defines labor management relations as being related to “the rules and policies which govern and organize employment, how these are established and implemented, and how they affect the needs and interests of employees and employers” (np). Labor management relations involves both industry and economics and often encompasses strategic human resources. However, not all sectors of business, economic and social environments “work” well together as history has proven. The world economy experienced massive growth in the twentieth...
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...Beginning or End of Unions 12/17/2013 Maryjo Hyatt The Constitution states that every American is entitled to the right of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Unions are a great vehicle to help employees secure change in the workplace. Giving employees the opportunity to unite against employers, gives them the power to negotiate for better wages, benefits and others terms or conditions. When employees join or form unions they get to act as one and give a voice to be heard by management. It aids employees in the demand for change in the workplace. We need unions because they help workers ask for their rights. Unions have the authority to enforce standards in an expeditious and inexpensive forum. Unions can contest disparate treatment and if it wasn’t for unions workers would not have the power to deal with certain issues. Unions are the power behind the American worker. Being part of a union has many advantages and if we take a look back at history a lot has changed the course of history because of the acts of unions. As we look back over the past some of the most significant moments in labor union history have had a huge impact on where we are today. In 1870 the first textile mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island was staffed entirely by children under the age of 12. In 1868 the first 8-hour workday for federal workers took effect. The American Federation of Labor is formed in 1886. “Mother” Jones led a protest march of mill children, many of whom were...
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...The opening phrase on ‘Labor’ in history.com reads like this : “The labor movement in the United States grew out of the need to protect the common interest of workers. For those in the industrial sector, organized labor unions fought for better wages, reasonable hours and safer working conditions. The labor movement led efforts to stop child labor, give health benefits and provide aid to workers who were injured or retired.” The factors that led to the rise of labor unions: An in depth analysis of the factors that led to the rise of labor unions in the United States only reveals that the basic need and the primary objective of the workering people was to secure economic and legal protection from their exploiting employers. The origins of the...
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...In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, American history marks the time periods of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. Additionally, it is during this time that both the American society and labor force face an “industrial” change in which allows for the development of coal mining, working the railroads, in addition with a variety of other jobs. Correspondingly, when these new jobs come to the American hand, union groups begin to come along with them such as the Knights of Labor and later the American Federation of Labor. However, it is also during this time that America undergoes a great migration wave in which brings a significant amount of Italians, Germans, and Irish to the eastern coast which created great competition on the job market. Moreover,...
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...Labor Unions Objective Labor unions in the United States have been prevailing forces in the workplace since their establishment in the late 1800’s. The two main purposes for unions are union security and overall improvement in wages, working conditions and benefits for their members. While only 12% of the U.S. workforce today is under union contract; they still are establish a presence by way of strikes, mediation and impasses. Unions will form when employees believe that company management is practicing unfair labor standards and acts and will take action accordingly to meet their goals. This report will look into the history and implications labor unions have had on the U.S. workforce and what they mean for both companies and employees alike in today’s world. General History Famous Labor Strikes The Great Postal Strike of 1970 involved 200,000 postal workers who walked off the job to protest their pay rates, which when accounted barely surpassed the average cost of living in the United States during that time period (in accordance with inflationary rates). President Nixon sent 23,000 U.S. army and marine personnel to handle the mail system, but that failed due to the limited training they possessed working with the massive government operation. Within a week, the government reached an agreement with the worker’s union, allowing for a 14% pay raise for postal workers. As a result, the American Postal Workers Union became a powerful force in bargaining...
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...Labor Unions in the United States Posted Mon, 2010-02-01 17:21 by Anonymous Gerald Friedman, University of Massachusetts at Amherst Unions and Collective Action In capitalist labor markets, which developed in the nineteenth-century in the United States and Western Europe, workers exchange their time and effort for wages. But even while laboring under the supervision of others, wage earners have never been slaves, because they have recourse from abuse. They can quit to seek better employment. Or they are free to join with others to take collective action, forming political movements or labor unions. By the end of the nineteenth century, labor unions and labor-oriented political parties had become major forces influencing wages and working conditions. This article explores the nature and development of labor unions in the United States. It reviews the growth and recent decline of the American labor movement and makes comparisons with the experience of foreign labor unions to clarify particular aspects of the history of labor unions in the United States. Unions and the Free-Rider Problem Quitting, exit, is straightforward, a simple act for individuals unhappy with their employment. By contrast, collective action, such as forming a labor union, is always difficult because it requires that individuals commit themselves to produce "public goods" enjoyed by all, including those who "free ride" rather than contribute to the group effort. If the union succeeds, free riders...
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...1. Labor relations are generally defined as relations between management and workers. They are also called industrial relations. Workers or group of workers are represented by trade unions. Labor relations may take place on different levels such as regional, national, international. The main challenge for such relation is ability to adapt to emerging changes. The world and technology develops very fast, so do relations between workers and management. Trade unions (also called) labor unions are organizations of workers who united to defend their rights, solving problems in the industry such as wages, working hours, bonuses, Union represent workers and negotiate with the management on behalf of the workers (Jochem, 2000). Such relations are usually accompanied by tensions and conflicts and company owners usually want to earn more and pay less. Workers are willing to work in better conditions for a better salary. Labor unionism in the United States is an expression of the American democratic spirit working itself out in industry is hardly to be doubted. Its beginnings coincided with the period when the free colonies were establishing state governments, and the principles of the federal Constitution were subjects of great political debate. It developed stretch in Jefferson's administration, and grew to a full-fledged labor movement during the presidency of Andrew Jackson. Workmen's clubs, unions, were part of the movement of "Republican-Democratic Societies" which marked "the...
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...Labor relations are generally defined as relations between management and workers. They are also called industrial relations. Workers or group of workers are represented by trade unions. Labor relations may take place on different levels such as regional, national, international. The main challenge for such relation is ability to adapt to emerging changes. The world and technology develops very fast, so do relations between workers and management. Trade unions (also called) labor unions are organizations of workers who united to defend their rights, solving problems in the industry such as wages, working hours, bonuses, Union represent workers and negotiate with the management on behalf of the workers (Jochem, 2000). Such relations are usually accompanied by tensions and conflicts and company owners usually want to earn more and pay less. Workers are willing to work in better conditions for a better salary. Labor unionism in the United States is an expression of the American democratic spirit working itself out in industry is hardly to be doubted. Its beginnings coincided with the period when the free colonies were establishing state governments, and the principles of the federal Constitution were subjects of great political debate. It developed stretch in Jefferson's administration, and grew to a full-fledged labor movement during the presidency of Andrew Jackson. Workmen's clubs, unions, were part of the movement of "Republican-Democratic Societies" which marked "the Rise...
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...History of the Labor Movement “It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country” (United States Department of Labor). This quotation is referring to one of our national holidays, Labor Day. Ultimately, the labor movement in the United States formed this holiday celebrated every September. Labor day is a day to celebrate how far American workers have come since before the 19th century. During the 1800s American workers could be found at their job for most of the day almost everyday. It was a hard time for families to make ends meet forcing even their children to work. On average, an individual would work twelve hours a day, seven days a week. Easy jobs, such as working in a factory or mill, children as young as five would be working to help their families pay bills and even eat a meal (History, 2010). Soon times got tougher for Americans by having wage cuts and needing them to work more hours. Several different strikes occurred starting in 1768 over these wage reductions. Workers fought for several years to be treated differently by getting paid more and working less hours; to fight for these rights strikes were happening more frequently. Soon reform efforts were popping up to fight against the social inequality occurring; Knights of Labor and National Union Labor were the most popular. However, their efforts were not changing the economic conditions the workers faced; therefore...
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...HISTORY SUMMARY 1865-19901865-1900In the years following the Civil War the United States was transformed by the enormous growth of industry. Once, the United States was mainly a nation of small farms. By 1900, it was a nation of growing cities, of coal, steel, and of engines and fast communications. Though living standards generally rose, millions of industrial workers lived in crowded, unsanitary slums.In the north, industrial violence was common and occurred on numerous occasions. The most violent confrontation between labor and employers was probably the Great Railway Strike of 1877. The nation had been in the grip of a severe depression for four years. During that time, the railroads had decreased the wages of railway workers by 20 percent. Many trainmen complained that they could not support their families adequately, and there was little that the trainmen could do about the wage decreases. At that time, unions were weak and workers feared going on strike; there were too many unemployed men who might take their jobs. Some workers secretly formed a Trainmen's Union to oppose the railroads. In the last quarter of the century, the textile, metal, and machinery industries equaled the railroads in size. In 1870, the typical iron and steel firm employed fewer than 100 workers. Thirty years later, the force was four times as large. By 1900, more than 1,000 factories had work forces ranging from 500 to 1,000 workers. From 1860 to 1900 some 15 million immigrants from southern and...
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...Rutgers The State University of New Jersey And Union of Rutgers Administrators American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO he following questions are based on the labor agreement between Rutgers University and the Union of Union of Rutgers Administrators American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. Rutgers University is considered to be the eighth oldest university in the United States. Rutgers, formally known as Queen’s College, prior to 1924, was an all-male school until 1918, when women were admitted to the university’s Douglass Campus, which was New Jersey College for Women. Today, Rutgers University, which has campus locations in Newark, New Brunswick, Camden and several others, consist of more than 58,000 students, 43,380 undergraduate students, 14,800 graduates students and 13,000 faculty and staffs. In 1970, Rutgers Council of American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Chapters was formed and throughout the years have formed separate collective bargaining units for employed graduate students, part time faculty, police personnel and educational opportunity fund counselors. In 2007, the American Associate of University Professor became affiliates of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). (Rutgers History) 1. Give the name of the union and the employer covered by the agreement. The name of the Union of Rutgers Administrators-American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey 2. Effective dates of the agreement...
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...American Labor Movement Labor unions began to develop in America in the nineteenth century because of the need for better safety and job security for workers. Workers formed labor unions in response to dangerous working conditions, low wages, and long hours. In the wake of the Industrial Revolution, men, women, and even children worked in unsafe factories for ten to twelve hours daily for a meager pay. These harsh conditions forced workers to look for ways to improve their situation. They eventually learned that by banding together and bargaining as a group, they could pressure employers to respond to their demands. The development of labor unions follows the development of the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution brought about skilled laborers and a huge increase in production, thanks to a better production system. The new factory system brought workers both steady employment in good economic times and bad working conditions and unemployment during depressions. Consequently, the Industrial Revolution changed the American class structure, turning skilled tradesmen into the working class, who found it very difficult to escape factory work. Printers, carpenters, tailors, and weavers formed local craft unions in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Their main objective was to maintain craft standards, to prevent employers from hiring unskilled workers and immigrant labor. The largest labor organizations emerged between 1866 and 1936. The National Labor...
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... | |Progressivism | | |Test | | | | | | |[pic] | | |U.S. History since the Civil War (S2978848) | | |Billy Jean Bonilla-Davila | | | | | |Points possible: 60 | | |Date: ____________ ...
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...orLabor Unions: Aging Dinosaur or Sleeping Giant? The Labor Movement and Unionism Background and Brief History Higher wages! Shorter workdays! Better working conditions! These famous words echoed throughout the United States beginning in 1790 with the skilled craftsmen (Dessler, 1997, p. 544). For the last two-hundred years, workers of all trades have been fighting for their rights and seeking methods of improving their living standards, working conditions, and job security (Boone, 1996,p.287). As time went by, these individuals came to the conclusion that if they work together collectively, they would grow stronger to get responses to their demands. This inspired into what we know today as labor unions. A labor union is an organized group of workers whose purpose is to increase wages and influence other job conditions for its members (Parkin, 1998,p.344). These labor unions can be divided into two types: craft unions and industrial unions (World, 1998). A craft union is a union whose membership is restricted to workers who possess an identifiable skill (Robinson, 1985,p. 69). These members tend to be better educated and trained, and more unified because of common interests (World, 1998). An example of a craft union is the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (World, 1998). On the other hand, an industrialized union is a group of workers who have a variety of skills and job types but work for the same industry (Parkin, 1998, p. 344). Unions of this type include...
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