Trade union and labour rights - unity and action Flashcards
How did skilled workers limit unions?
Unions in 1860s only protected skilled workers, so strength through numbers was ignored.
This continued until the 1930s.
The limited size limited the pressure workers could exert on employers and the government.
How did the situation of unskilled workers change in 1930?
Worker solidarity became more evident in 1930s.
In 1935 some unions broke away from the AFL, which was more interested in craft unions than unskilled workers.
They set up the Congress of Industrial Organisations (CIO).
Initially this split weakened the movement, but did give unskilled workers more representation.
How did workers change in 1955?
The CIO merged with the AFL, bringing 85% of members into one unit.
This gave the organisation a membership of 16 million, allowing it to exert more pressure.
Unions had recognised that the best way to protect their interests was through greater solidarity.
How did skilled workers negatively change post WW2?
There was an increase in white-collar and service industries jobs.
These workers were less likely to join unions, and to sign no-strike agreements.
So the proportion of workers in unions dropped to 31% by 1960.
White-collar were already well paid and enjoyed benefits like pensions and healthcare schemes.
How did skilled workers positively change post WW2?
The AFL-CIO gained benefits such as contract negotiations, regulations for promotions, and opportunities for workers to voice grievances.
Wages of union workers were 20% higher than non-union in the 1960s.
How did ethnic divisions affect unions?
White workers were concerned about African Americans, and Asian and European immigrants taking their jobs or taking lower wages.
Therefore they did not allow these ethnic groups to join unions, or offered little support to them.
Employers could exploit the divisions and employ AAs for low wages and in poor conditions.
How did abolition and immigration in the 19th century affect unions?
Many whites were unwilling to work with AAs or immigrants.
In times of industrial unrest, the employers laid off whites, and replaced them with AAs.
This limited striking due to the fear of being replaced.
Employers also sacked those attempting to organise action - removing those who might have effectively lead unions.
How did ethnic divisions continue?
In the Pullman Strike, many AFL affiliates excluded AAs, making it harder for the porters to organise effective action.
Racial divisions and economic separation (outlined by Booker T Washington) meant many AAs would not join white-led unions.
Some AAs tried to form their own unions, further weakening unity.
How did ethnic divisions continue in the 1960s?
Unions did not promote equal opportunities for AAs.
Some smaller unions did not welcome ethnic members.
The arrival of 2.5million immigrants weakened unions, as they were willing to work for less, and less interested in joining unions.
What is the effect of women and trade unions?
Women were usually paid less than men, so they wanted to limit their exploitation.
Unions were male dominated, so the Women’s Trade Union League (WTUL) was established in 1903.
However, this was also involved in the vote campaign.
They also wanted 8 hour day and minimum wage, but men believed it was their role to negotiate, so brought divisions.
How did the New Deal affect women?
It did not bring equal pay, so women continued to campaign.
Not all male unions supported this, and those that did, was only to stop firms employing women as they were cheaper.
What was the position of women post WW2?
Many women’s jobs were in the service industries, who did not join unions and were often part time.
This limited numerical power of unions.
Some women joined unions over the feminist movement, to try to achieve childcare and maternity leave, so numbers increased in the 70s.
What is the Molly Maguires strike 1873?
Irish immigrant miners derailed carriages, set fire to coal tips, and murdered the superintendent.
20 were hung after this.
Many became reluctant to join unions, and unions were eliminated from the coal industry for many years.
What is the Haymarket Affair 1886?
A strike at the Harvester Plant resulted in police-striker violence, where 4 died.
A protest march followed, with a bomb thrown, where 7 police died, and 4 more workers died.
A further 5 were executed.
What is the impact of the Haymarket Affair?
It encouraged the dislike of unions, who were blamed for the events.
It further weakened and divided the movement.
Whites were more suspicious of immigrants.
Some unions broke away from the KOL to join AFL or industrial workers of the world.
