Labour and Trade Unions Flashcards
What was the Gilded Age? (turning point)
Industrial expansion and influx of migrants leads to
issues for the unions and harsh treatment by the govt.
Significance of world wars? (turning point)
Establishment of the National War Labour Boards leads
to union concessions.
What was the New Deal? (turning point)
NIRA, NRA and Wagner Act give greater union power.
Significance of 1960s? (turning point)
Cesar Chavez and farm workers shows rural power.
What labour organization was founded in 1869?
Labour Knights
What year was the Haymarket Affair and American Federation of Labour founded?
1886
When was the Sherman Anti Trust Act?
1890
What strike occurred in 1892?
Homestead Strike
When was the Pullman Strike?
1894
When was Lochner Vs New York
1905
What occurred in 1914?
Clayton Anti Trust Act
What year was the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and Maids established?
1925
When was the NIRA and NRA established?
1933
When was the Wagner Act?
1935
When was the Congress of Industrial Organizations established?
1937
What Act was in 1947?
Taft - Harley Act
When did the AFL and CIO merge?
1955
What Act secured workplace safety for workers, and when was it introduced?
Occupational Safety and Health Act in 1970
When was the PATCO strike and why was it controversial?
1981
Government workers were banned from striking, Reagan breaks it and make it a failure
Represents the demise of unions
Significance of 1980’s? (turning point)
Reduction in Union membership as shown in PATCO strike
Who was John Rockefeller?
US businessman who controlled 90% oil
refineries and amassed a fortune of $1 billion by
1937.
Who was Andrew Carnegie?
Controlled 25% of US iron and steel production.
He sold the company in 1901 for $250 million.
Who was Henry Frick?
US coal industry millionaire who entered a
partnership with Carnegie. Sent in to break the
Homestead strike.
Who was Samuel Gompers?
Leader of the AFL in the early 1900s, ensured
acceptance of the union by employers.
Who was Henry Ford?
Set up the motor company, refused to recognise
unions until 1941.
Who was Cesar Chavez?
Founded National Farm Workers Association and
led the Salad Bowl strike in the 1970s. Peaceful Protest
Which President sent in troops at the Pullman Strike?
Cleveland
What did Woodrow Wilson do which benefited workers during the war?
He granted concessions
What did Franklin D. Roosevelt introduce which greatly benefited workers?
The New Deal
Significance of JFK?
“New Frontier” led to Equal Pay Act
How did Nixon aid labour rights?
Brought in the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1970
AFL (American Federation of Labour)
Replaced the Knights of Labour in 1886. Attempted to
unite all unions, 2 million members by 1914.
NWLB (National War Labour Board)
Set up during wars to settle disputes between workers
and employers. No-strike agreement.
NMB (National Mediation Board)
Established to regulate labour relations in the railway
industry in 1920s.
BSCP (Brotherhood of the Sleeping Car Porters)
Brotherhood of the Sleeping Car Porters union
established in 1925, mainly African American.
PATCO (Professional Air Traffic Control Organisation)
Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization led
1981 strike.
Industrial Workers of the World
Known as the ‘Wobblies’ set up in 1905 with a
reputation for violence and militancy. Supported
rights of poor workers and immigrants. Declined post-
1923.
Knights of Labour
Developed post-1879 under leadership of Terence
Powderley. Successful strike at Wabash Railroad but
lost influence post-Haymarket Affair of 1886.
Significance of New Deal
Socio economic restoration
1933 to 39
15 year influence
Yellow Dog Contracts
Workers were forced to sign, preventing their ability to unionise and strike
Haymarket Affair
Rally in Haymarket Square, 1886, violent, sparks significant police response, damages credibility of Unions, Knights of Labour involvement dwindles afterwards - association with violence and militancy
PATCO strike
1981, controversial as Government workers were banned from striking
Taft Hartley Act
Post New Deal, goes against it, restricts Union activity in 1947 under Truman, prevents closed shop Unions
Sherman Anti Trust Act
1890
Stops monopolies, force businesses to take care of workers and not exploit them
Passed in fear of a general strike
Henry Ford
Welfare Capitalism, benefits but no union activity
