Trade Unions Flashcards
What were labour rights like in 1865?
Not very good - Trade unions were small and limited, as they did not have enough support behind them - all unions were separate. No legal obligation to recognise or cooperate with them. And industrialisation led to an increase in semi/unskilled workers being excluded from trade unions.
What were the main issues for workers in 1865?
Some children as young as 8 had to work in mines
12 hour shifts, dangerous conditions, lack of compensation following accidents, Health and safety was expensive and opposed by employers.
What were the 4 main unions which developed?
NLU, KOL, AFL and Wobblies.
What does the NLU represent?
The idea of working class solidarity
What does NLU stand for?
National Labour Union
What did the NLU campaign for?
8 hour days, currency and banking reforms, ending of convict labour (slave labour), a federal labour department, immigration restrictions and promoted the cause of working women.
What was the NLUs legacy?
They were short lived, as between 1866 + 1867, a strike by iron founders failed which weakened their position, however it did not deter membership. 1868 had membership of 3,000 across USA but deterred in 1869 after the death of it’s leader.
Who did the KOL represent?
Wanted to unite skilled and unskilled labour as well as removing barriers of racial and culture origin imposed by existing labour associations. They also supported women
What does KOL stand for?
Knights of Labour
What did KOL campaign for?
8 hour day, equal pay for women and abolition of child labour.
Where did the membership of the NLU go after its demise?
To KOL
What destroyed KOLs reputation and what did this lead to?
The violence of the ‘Haymarket affair’, led to membership dwindling to 100,000 in 1890s and many of it’s members turned to the AFL or the Wobblies.
What success boosted KOLs membership in 1886?
The Wabash Railroad strike which boosted membership to 700,000 which included 50,000 AAs and 10,000 women.
What did the AFL represent?
It wanted to link all unions together to become the largest, effectively replaced the KOL.
What does AFL stand for?
American Federation of Labour
What did the AFL campaign for?
Wanted to stand up to large corporations, concentrated on practising the goals of raising wages and reducing hours. They did support the use of boycotts and strikes, Its leader (Gomper) also seeked reform through legislation.
What was the AFLs legacy?
It had over 2 million members by 1914 but still only represented a small percentage of the national industrial workforce. It was also the only remaining major national federation of trade unions in 1924 as well as playing a significant role in labour relations until 1992.
What year was the AFL founded?
1886
What year was KOL founded?
1869
What did the Wobblies represent?
They were a more militant organisation with a reputation of violence which meant that employers regarded them with suspicion.
What does Wobblies stand for?
Industrial Workers of the World
What did the Wobblies campaign for?
Defending the rights of poor or illiterate workers, e.g immigrants
When did membership of the Wobblies peak?
1923 with 100,000 members who were mainly western miners, lumbermen, fruit pickers and travelling workers.
When were the Wobblies founded?
1905
What were the Wobblies legacy?
Their use of violence and sabotage meant they faced constant harassment through arrests and prosecutions. Divisions occurred within the leadership in 1924 which broke their strength.
What were the 7 factors that limited the progress of Trade Unions and Labour rights?
Racial tensions
Divisions between skilled and unskilled workers
Employers attitudes
Immigrant attitudes to work
Violence
Lack of union membership and organisation
Lack of fed gov support
Where did the Racial tensions occur which limited the progress of trade unions?
Immigrants vs Whites
Immigrants and whites vs AAs
What was the Haymarket affair and what did it cause?
They were violent strikes in Chicago in which police and workers were killed. The violence was blamed on Germans and seen as a sign of hatred towards the new immigration of the late 19th, early 20th century.
Caused worsened existing tension as arrival of new immigrants as well as foreign blame.
Why were a mass of workers unwilling to join Unions?
They disprove of methods or because of employer intimidation.
What were Unions take on immigrants?
Unions were anti-immigration and unwilling to admit them.
What positive internal factors did WW1 have on labour rights?
There was a union membership increase from 2.7 million in 1916 to 5 million in 1920, Trade Unions did not strike in the war years and the number of workers involved in strikes decreased from 1 million in 1921 to 280,000 in 1929. However, the number of strikes did increase.
How did capitalism and big businesses limit progress of trade unions?
There was a small number of highly successful capitalists controlling several key industries making monopolies on them.
Manufacturers could also cut wages, lay off workers and changing working hours without warning.
Who were the two highly successful capitalists controlling and making monopolies on key industries - and what industries did each of them do this with?
Andrew Carnegie (Steel) John D Rockefeller (Oil)
What attitude did the government have to labour rights and why?
Laissez- Faire. They were focused more on business and money.
How did the Supreme Courts and partiality of the law limit the progress made by trade unions and labour rights?
Authorities and courts supported the employer
Supreme Courts were ultimately limiting in what pieces of legislation they passed.
Why can WW1 be seen as a turning point for labour rights?
As the government supported them (they had to) as the government needed them to help with the war effort. However post 1919, they crushed them. So it was a turning point but it was short lived.
What was the overall impact of WW1 on labour rights?
Government had more involvement with unions which caused a membership rise from 2.7 million to 5 million by 1920 and there was an eight hour working day implemented.
What does the fact there were more internal than external factors during WW1 on labour rights demonstrate?
There was not much union power in the 1920s.
What negative internal factors did WW1 have on labour rights?
A series of strikes broke out in Seattle in 1919 so the mayor called federal forces to crush the striking workers. Company union reps could also negotiate but they could not call strikes or negotiate wages.
What was ‘Welfare Capitalism’
It caused a fall in unemployment, real wages rose, and It included improving workers conditions, reduced working hours and gave benefits such as insurance or pensions. Company Unions were also created.
What were the 1920s known as?
The Boom Years. There was a Marked growth in consumer goods.
What did the NWLB implement which benefited labour rights?
An 8 hour working day.
What was the ‘Red Scare’ and what impact did this have on workers rights?
1920, fear of communism. (came about after Russian revolution) Led to measures against left-wing organisations and suspicion of anyone with left-wing beliefs. Many employers became concerned with growing workers rights.
What was Nativism?
Protecting the interests of native-born.
Why did Nativism grow in popularity during WW1?
It was a need to protect the interests of American businesses in a hostile manner, which came as a result of the suspicions of communism.
Why did many employers adopt ‘Welfare Capitalism’ during WW1?
In order to avoid strike action as they needed workers to work in order to help with the war effort.
What barrier did AAs face to unionisation?
There were divisions between the Union movement, AAs were banned from unions (had their own BSCP).
They were not included in unions as AAs were typically unskilled workers while unions focused on skilled workers. They were also disposable and worked more for less.
What did TUs gain in the 1920s?
Economic prosperity - wages rose, consumer goods
20s Nativism - fear of communism
Giant corporations - merging smaller companies
What was the Brotherhood of the Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP)?
An AA led union, led by Philip Randolph.
Who were the BSCP opposed by?
They were opposed by Pullman which was an AA employer, where AAs were given jobs as porters which meant they relied on tips and had no career structure. Company spies were assaulted and 500 porters met in Harlem under Randolph with his campaign “Fight or be Slaves”
How successful was the BSCP?
They tried to demand their rights during the 1920s (boom years), but they took 10 years to be recognised. It did however lead to more AA activity.
Had women’s position in the workplace changed by 1945?
It had not improved as differentials in pay between men and women were upheld by NIRA(National Industrial Recovery Act) + Fair Labour Standards Act
How did WW2 tip the balance in favour of the workers?
Control of the industry was taken away from manufactures meaning weakened employers and favoured workers who were essential to the war effort.
How were women workers treated in WW2?
They made up 1/3 of the total workforce, but they were paid less as both unions and management opposed equal levels of pay.
What caused a fall in unemployment 1945?
WW2, as increase in wartime production and expansion of the armed forces as well as the halting of overseas immigration produced a decline in unemployment.
Labour shortages also created more opportunity for young people, handicapped, women and AAs
What did the NWLB do during WW2?
Established adjudicate disputes. They dealt with wage disputes, permitting that a 15% increase in the cost of living should mean higher wages and an increase in overtime pay.
What did republicans resolve to restrain and when?
They resolved to restrain union activity when they won both houses of Congress in 1946 elections.
What was the impact of black labour in between 1915 and 1945?
One billion + AA found jobs in the industrial centre of the North, but black factory workers still restricted to more menial jobs.
Pullman Porters Union threatened march of 50,000 on Washington 1941, which caused President to forbid racial discrimination in defence projects.
Black migration and increase of blacks in armed forces caused further racial strife.
What did the end of war time controls cause and what did this lead political circles to believe?
Caused a wave of strikes which caused political circles to believe that unions were becoming too powerful.
What was the Taft-Hartley Act also known as?
The Labour Management Relations Act
When was the Taft-Hartley Act?
1947
What did the Taft-Hartley Act do?
It restrained the power of trade unions and sought to purge organised labour of communists.
Was there any progress in Labour rights between 1915 an 1945?
Significant progress was made during this time period in recognising the rights of labour. Much of which was a result of the legislation of the New Deal in 1933.
What did CIO stand for?
Congress of Industrial Organisation
What did Republicans make clear in passing the Taft-Hartley Act?
They had no desire to support unions. This was made apparent when Truman attempted to veto it in order to retain the labour vote but was overruled by congress.
When was the Pay Code introduced and extended?
Introduced in 1948, linked to standard of living introduced and extended in 1950 to include 5 year contract giving pensions and cost of living increases to employees.
What represented a turning point in the establishment in law of workers rights?
National Labours Relation Act 1935
When was a Trade Union membership high point between 1915 and 1945 and why?
- It trebled between 1932 and 1939. It went from under 2 million to 9 million as previous semi-unskilled and unskilled workers unionised themselves.
What were sources of conflict and division in labour rights between 1915 and 1945?
The division between unskilled and skilled workers as well as an inequality which was determined by racial and ethnic differences remained a barrier to solidarity. The influx of women within the workforce was also a further source of potential conflict and division.
What was the Pullman strike?
Strike by train workers employed by Pullman meaning no trains were running meaning no one could transport goods, so businesses stopped. Employers in other industries were sympathetic to the workers and more began to join.
When was the Pullman strike?
1894
What was the first thing the federal government actually got involved in?
The Pullman Strike
Why did the Federal Government intervene with the Pullman strike?
It was stopping businesses - they could not intervene without reason though so Attorney General issued an injunction stopping anyone interfering with the flow of mail. This made the strike illegal.
What was the outcome of the Pullman strike?
President Cleveland sent 2,000 troops to break the strike, they fired at protesters and killed 4 people.
Supreme Court also legalised injunction issuing the Omnibus Indictment Act making general strikes illegal.
What was the Omnibus Indictment Act?
It prohibited strikers and workers representatives from trying to persuade other strikes. Meaning when indictment was read and workers did not disperse they were declared in contempt and the strike illegal. This made all general (industrial) strikes illegal.
What was the Clayton anti-trust act?
It was clarification and further substance to the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. Focused on topics such as price discrimination, price fixing and unfair business practice. Enabled strikers to peacefully picket as the government needed them for war.
When was the Clayton anti-trust act?
1914
Why was the NWLB established?
Not done out of sympathy to workers but a need to sustain production, and successful as Gomper (leader of AFL) then ordered workers not to strike.
What were the Federal government like during the two world wars as opposed t after?
Shown to be supporting the workers during the wars but afterwards went back to maintaining a Laissez-faire attitude.
Why was NIRA declared unconstitutional and what effect did this have on workers?
Because it encroached on state laws. This undid all the work and progress the New Deal had made in its aim to improve employee and employer relationships. Demonstrating the government could not and did not agree on how far those measures should support the rights of the workers.
What was the PATCO strike?
It occurred as the government was unwilling to allow air traffic controllers to be paid more for fewer working hours. Stopping and slowing air-traffic
When was the PATCO strike?
1981
Why did the government intervene in the PATCO strike?
They were concerned about the impact it would have on holidays and the economy. Reagan personally intervened as he disagreed with the rights workers already had and announced that if workers did not return in 48 hours their contracts would be terminated. The training programme for new controllers then sped up and those not on strike were augmented by supervisors and military air traffic controllers to keep flow of air traffic moving.
What was the outcome of the PATCO strike?
It can be seen as a turning point in redefining industrial relations. This is reflected in the decline in strikes and union membership that followed this event. This was because it set a precedent that you can be fired for striking, not being defended by the government. The government had given a clear message on how they thought relations with Unions should proceed.
What was the relation like between the Labour Relations Board and Reagan and what did this mean for workers?
They were appointed by Reagan which made sure they shared his view that workers already had too many rights (such as the 3 strike basis which meant they could not be fired straight away) and any disputes which came before the board were likely to favour the employer.
Did the government help Labour Rights?
They appeared to hinder more than they helped.
What four things with significance to the development and hindrance of Trade Unions happen under Grover Cleveland?
Haymarket Affair 1886 - Negative
AFL - campaigning for wages, hours + legislation
Sherman Anti-Trust Act 1890 - meant to make business merges and monopolies more difficult to form
Pullman strike 1894
What three things with significance to the development and hindrance of Trade Unions happened under Woodrow Wilson?
Clayton Anti-Trust Act 1914
Coppage V Kansas 1915
NWLB 1918 (short lived turning point)
What was Coppage V Kansas?
Allowed yellow dog contracts
When was Coppage V Kansas?
1915
What four things with significance to the development and hindrance of Trade Unions happened under Franklin D Roosevelt?
(New Deal 1933) = Wagner Act 1935 + NIRA (declared uncon)
Pullman Porters Union
NLRB - turning point in establishment in law of workers rights.
POSITIVE
What three things with significance to the development and hindrance of Trade Unions happened under Harry S Truman?
Taft Hartley Act 1947
Rise of Communism
Republicans won both houses of congress
NEGATIVE
What with significance to the development and hindrance of Trade Unions happened under John F Kennedy?
Equal Pay Act 1963
POSITIVE
What did the Equal Pay Act do?
One of first federal anti-discrimination laws passed, addressed differences based on gender, illegal to pay women and man different salaries working in same place. Signed into law.
When was the Equal Pay Act?
1963
What with significance to the development and hindrance of Trade Unions happened under Lyndon B Johnson?
Great Society - Not much impact
What with significance to the development and hindrance of Trade Unions happened under Richard Nixon?
Occupational Safety + Health Act 1970
Dealing with Vietnam war so limited impact
What was the Occupational Safety + Health Act?
US labour law governing federal law of occupational health and safety in the sector and federal government,
When was the Occupational Safety + Health Act?
1970
What was the Impact of Jimmy Carter on the development of Trade Union and Labour rights?
Limited but he did establish a minimum wage.
What with significance to the development and hindrance of Trade Unions happened under Ronald Reagan?
PATCO Strike
Needed to control Unions due to economic slow down.
NEGATIVE
When did the AFL and CIO merge and what did this do?
1955, helped union unity as it brought together 85% of union members.
What four things helped union unity?
Merger of AFL and CIO
1960s clashes of employers + employees uncommon
striking workers down from 3 mil 1950 to 1.5 mil 1965
CIO represented mass production industries 1937
Unions realised strength in numbers 1930s
What did the number of strikers go from in 1950 to 1965?
Went from 3 million to 1.5 million.
What did the acceptance of welfare capitalism in the 1920s lead to?
Employers were more likely to offer benefits and pensions but led to acceptance of yellow dog contracts and no-strike agreements.
What hindered union unity?
Yellow dog contracts and no-strike agreements (Welfare Capitalism)
AA workers arriving from 1865 caused divisions
Immigrants from Europe + Asia 1860s + = further division
‘Wobblies’ violence = decrease in support of employers to negotiate with unions
1970s + size of businesses decreased - harder org work
Why did the arrival of AAs cause divisions in workforce?
They would accept a lower pay than whites would so put whites out of jobs.
Who was the Wabash Railroad strike conducted by, when was it and what was the result?
Knights of Labour (KOL)
1885
Saw increase in membership 20,000 to 70,000
What did a Sit-in strike in 1936 result in?
Recognition of the United Automobile Workers Union and the Steel Workers Organising Commite recognised by US steel in 1937.
These industries previously resistant to unions.
What was the UFW and what did they do?
United Farm Workers 1972.
Early 70s ‘salad bowl strike’ which won higher wages for lettuce, and grape growers.
Declined in late 70s.
What hindered Union action?
Pullman Strike 1894
Haymarket Affair
Lack of public sympathy for PATCO strike 1981
Molly Maguires 1873
Who were the Molly Maguires 1873?
Group of Irish immigrant miners who used violent tactics, did not encourage union membership and employers used heavy-handed tactics to deal with them.
What did membership increase from in 1930 to 1940?
3.4 million to 8.7 million
When were Union member wages higher than non-union workers and what by?
1955 by 20%
What was the WTUL?
Women’s Trade Union League, 1903. Improved working conditions and campaigned for the vote, formed as women under represented in unions.
However conflict with male unions who believed it was their responsibility to negotiate terms.
When did Union membership decline and why?
The late 1960’s as a result of technological changes producing a more skilled workforce, who no longer needed union representation.
What did the Homestead Strike do to union membership?
Almost bankrupted the amalgamated association of iron and steel workers leading to a decline in union membership.
When was the Homestead Strike?
1882
What role did civil rights play in unions?
Pullman Company employed large number of them, BSCP established.
But by 1940s unions still did not represent them, or women, or immigrants. And as AAs were not unionised for most of the period they were often employed by businesses who could exploit them.
What percentage of the workforce was unionised in 1933?
10%
What was the New Deal a result of?
The Wall street crash
What were the effects of the New Deal on disadvantaged workers?
It had a positive impact on unionisation extending rights
Mainly supported skilled workers
Still no leadership and limited support for unskilled and domestic workers
AAs limited
Women min wage established but upheld different pay levels
Still conflict between fed govt and state with welfare support
When was the NLU founded?
1866
