Labor Movement
By: Leslie Kwok
Background Information
Labor movement is groups of worker who tried to improve their economic position
Such as wages, hours, working condition, and job security
- People formed union because as a group they have a greater bargaining power
- Most union members were nonagricultural laborers
- Highest percentage of union member were from construction, manufacturing, mining, transportation industries
- Child labor
- Labor movement grew as industrialization rose
- U.S. labor movement began in late 19th century
- The labor movement got strength from employers
- Political party and other group played part
Collective Bargaining
- Organize group to represent the employee fraternity
- Reach an agreement to determine term of employment
- Negotiates with employers
Grievance Process
- Employee addressed grievances
- Internal dispute
- Complaint is formally considered and reviewed
Strike
- Workers stop working
- Interrupt the flow of goods
- Disrupt the productions of the company
- Induce the company to agree what they want
- Use strike as a bargaining weapon
Events
- Mid-1800's: first nationwide labor organization was developed
- 1869: Knights of Labor - The largest American labor organization, formed in Philadelphia
- 1892: Homestead Strike of 1892 - workers strike after the company reduced its wages
- 1914: Clayton Antitrust Act was passed - protect labors' right to strike and bargain
- 1921: Yellow-log contracts - threatened workers not to join an union
- 1929: The Great Depression - millions of worker lost their jobs
- 1932: Norris La Guardia Act - outlaw the yellow-dog contracts
- 1933: National Industrial Recovery Act - gave labor movement legal right to bargain collectively
- 1935: National Labor Relations Act - approved labors' right to organize, bargain collectively, and strike
- 1938: Fair Labor Standards Act - created a minimum wage, forbidden most child labor, and authorized a 44-hour sorkweek
Effects of Protest
Before:
- Long hours
- Low wages
- Child labor - children work long hour in dangerous factory conditions
- Dangerous working condition
- Poor were forced to work under any condition
- Cannot determine their own working condition, time, pay
After:
- End of child labor - Child labor Law was written
- 8 hours work day
- Higher wages
- Safe working condition
- Establish the legal right of workers to form unions
- Legal right for collectively bargain for wages
Assessment Question
The participants demonstrated their believe system through their protests by forming unions, as a group they showed people about their believe of having a higher wages, a safer condition for work, and ending the child labor. They fought for their believes, as a group they are trying to establish their right of having a safe working place, a decent wage, and a less working time.
- http://mysbta.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/may-day.jpg
- http://ebrochures.selectfamily.com/SF/TradePostIntro/Union.jpg
- http://dmpsushistory.wikispaces.com/file/view/industrialization_childlabor.gif/222847904/industrialization_childlabor.gif
- http://www.cartoonwork.com/watermark.php?i=1357
- http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/collective-bargaining-mbaknol.jpg
- https://ttoes.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/law-with-feather-quill.jpg?w=490