History of Unions
Examples of Unions
Knights of Labor
American Federation of Labor
Farmers' Union
Teachers' Union
Congress of Industrial Organizations
Why Unions Formed
Conditions Pre-Unions
Children were working long hour days: Child labor was used and all workers worked for most of the day.
Little pay: There were many wage cuts, and children recieved very little money for their work.
Workers could easily be replaced by new people: Many people wanted to work so one could not demand better conditions by themselves.
Conditions Post Formation of Unions
Eight-hour work days
Work places became much safer to work in
Workers received more rights, and better pay
Child labor use was reduced
Work facilities became cleaner
It became easier to sustain a job
History of Unions in WI
Shoemakers formed the Knights of St. Crispin which became the largest union in the nation. After the civil war wages began to drop and unions became more involved at a national scale. Some of the workers in Milwaukee created a union specifically to promote and eight-hour work day.
Current State of Unions (WI & US)
Unions are still very influential today. Not too long ago many Teachers were on strike in Chicago, and before that Madison. Many people joined these protests, but they did not get everything they had asked. An agreement was made to stop the strike though. Also some professional athletes are out of a job because of a lockout; this takes away their pay and current season of the sport. Other unions have only a slight bit of power in their profession.
Works Cited
- "American Labor Movement." American Labor Movement. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Jan. 2013.
- Malek, Joseph. "History of Labor Unions in the United States." Helium. Helium, 01 Mar. 2007. Web. 03 Jan. 2013.
- "Turning Points." The Birth of the Labor Movement. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Jan. 2013.