union action and membership including Chavez and Union Farm Workers

Question 1

response of employers to union violence

3 points

Answer 1

1. 1892 Homestead strike
   brought in state militia
2. 1894 Pullman strike
   called for federal troops. sacked union leaders
3. Pullman company
   refuse to recognise BSCP until 1934 - only as a result of change in law

Question 2

Chavez and unionisation of farmworkers

5 points

Answer 2

1. farmworkers hadn’t gained from organisation of workers in industry
2. by 1972
   Chavez helped establish United Farm Workers union UFW
3. campaign of non violence won public support
   able to win better conditions and wages for lettuce and grape growers
4. by 1975
   helped establish the California Agricultural Relations Board - oversee collective bargaining for farm labourers

Question 3

union membership

3 points

Answer 3

1. grow dramatically in WW2
2. continues to rise up to 1980
   peaked at 19.8 million
   growth in numbers employed and the unionisation of farm workers
3. declined towards end of period
   change in structure of workforce
   changing attitudes towards unions
   number of strikes and those taking part declined

Question 4

union violence 1st part of period

4 points

Answer 4

1. discouraged workers joining unions
2. 1873 Molly Maguire’s
   assault by striking miners on railroad cars and mines
3. 1886 Haymarket Affair
   policemen killed
   trouble blamed on German immigrants
   further divided labour movement / increase suspicion. destroyed reputation of KOL
4. 1892 Homestead Steel Strike (143 days)
   ends with battle - strikers vs Pinkerton National Detective Agency (security firm employed by industrialist Henry Frick)
   attacking and stabbing of Frick - collapse of strike and decline in union membership
   employers suspicious granting union rights

Question 5

union violence 20th century

3 points

Answer 5

1. employers use as justification for resist calls to recognise unions
2. unions realise action having detrimental impact on position
   adopt more peaceful approach
3. decline in number of workers striking
   3 million 1950
   1.5 million 1965
   185,000 by 1990

Question 6

actions of employers

5 points

Answer 6

1. Henry Ford (industrialist Ford motor car founder)
   used security - intimidated and attacked potential union organisers
   refused to recognise unions until 1941
2. set up own unions
   counter workers joining organisations they didn’t control
3. made workers sign no-strike agreements
4. used scab labour
   people hired to work during strikes to end strikes
5. ignored law over wages hours and conditions