-Trade unions WW1 and New Deal Flashcards
What was the impact of WW1 on Trade Unions?
Demand for labour increases, industrial production is up 35%.
Real wages go up 20%.
It was the first time federal government recognised trade unions and negotiated with them.
What was the NWLB in WW1?
It was a board to ensure the maintenance of high levels of uninterrupted production.
In return for a no-strike policy, the board guaranteed the rights of workers to join unions and collectively bargain.
Employers agreed to safeguarding working conditions by ensuring an 8 hour day at the request of NWLB.
How did union membership change from 1916 to 1920?
2.7 million to 5 million.
What was red scare and how did it affect unions?
It was a fear of communism infiltrating the US after WW1.
It manifested itself in extreme reactions from employers to any kind of industrial protest even when labour unions were exercising their rights.
A spate of strikes in 1919 exacerbated this.
What gains did unions make in the 1920s?
Americans enjoyed an unprecedented period of economic prosperity. Wages rose, new consumer goods available, more available credit.
Because of this there were huge increases in demand for things like cars, vacuum cleaners, cookers, washing machines.
BUT, a surge in ‘nativism’ and scare of communism rendered any union activity viewed with suspicion. Increased output made rich owners richer and more powerful. Giant corporations formed.
What was nativism?
The hostile response of one cultural group in the face of increasing diversity.
Regards new and old immigrants.
What was welfare capitalism?
Employers conciliatory action, improved working conditions, reduction in working hours, benefits including insurance and pension plans, profit-sharing schemes and recreational facilities were all a ruse to avert disruptive action.
Included setting up of company unions, workers could meet with employers to discuss issues but not strike, they’re also required to sign yellow dog contracts.
What was a yellow dog contract?
Contracts signed that prevented workers from joining a union.
Who is a good example of welfare capitalism?
Henry Ford.
He did not accept unions but gave his 80,000 employees many benefits.
In 1914 he had reduced working day to 8 hours and doubled daily wage to $5.
How did Ford control his workforce?
Ford’s Protection Agency employed armed security men who watched over potential union organisers, intimidating and assaulting them. It wasn’t until 1941 that any labour union was recognised by the Ford Company for the purposes of collective bargaining.
How did strike action change from 1921 to 1929?
It decreased from 1,099,247 workers to 288,572.
This can be due to better conditions meaning strikes aren’t necessary, as well as yellow dog contracts.
What was the BSCP?
Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. It was a labour union organised predominantly by African-American Pullman porters. Began in 1925. In 1935 it was the first labour organisation led by African-Americans to be accepted into the AFL.
Why were Pullman porters unhappy?
Porters relied on tips from white passengers, which humiliated them. They spent roughly 10% of their time doing unpaid work like setting up and cleaning duties.
They also had to pay for food, uniforms and lodgings which came out to about half of their wage.
Jobs had no career prospects or promotions to the next rung of the ladder.
How did the Pullman company quash the efforts of the unions in the first decades of the 1900s?
They isolated or sacked union leaders. They employed spies who informed the company of employee activity, in extreme cases they assaulted union organisers.
What was APR’s motto for the BSCP?
Fight or Be Slaves
Why was the BSCP important?
At the time, black unions were still excluded from organised labour. While the AFL didn’t exclude black workers many others did.
When did the BSCP sign it’s first collective bargaining agreement with the Pullman Company?
1935
How did the Great Depression affect labour?
Unemployment soared from 3% in 1929 to 25% by 1933, total 13 million unemployed.
People with a job were just happy to have a job at all and so didn’t campaign for greater rights due to risk of losing jobs.
Due to the great depression, how many people belonged to a union in 1933?
Only 10% of workers.
What unprecedented powers were given to FDR?
Congress gave him 100 days where he could implement a programme of reform that would get American people back to work.
What was the National Industry Recovery Act (1933)?
NIRA established the National Recovery Administration (NRA) which aimed to foster cooperation between the different sides of industry by developing agreed codes of practice about issues such as production levels, wage rates, working hours, prices and trade union rights. Importantly a law giving workers the right to organise unions and take part in collective bargaining.
Companies who joined NRA displayed a blue eagle symbol.
By 1934, 557 codes agreed and this covered 23 million workers.
Why was the NRA limited?
Employers such as Henry Ford refused to sign the NRA code. The NIRA also came under scrutiny of the SC which raised the issue of states rights over those of the federal government when it declared NIRA unconstitutional in 1935.
What was the National Labour Relations (WAGNER ACT)?
1935.
It involved an implicit reduction of the control of industrialists over their workforce but this wasn’t Wagner’s intention, he aimed to reduce labour disputes by providing a structure for collective bargaining.
Why was the NLR/Wagner Act significant?
It was the first piece of national legislation that recognised the right of workers to elect their own representatives to take part in collective bargaining with employers.
Gave workers the right to join trade unions and bargain collectively through their own chosen representatives. It also banned employers using spies and agitators.
Set up the National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) that had the power to bargain on behalf of the workers and stop companies using blacklists and company unions. Could also reinstate unfairly dismissed workers.
