Union Unity Flashcards
In 1860s how were unions divided? What impact did this have up to the New Deal?
In 1860s unions were composed of skilled and craft industry workers. Unskilled, AAs, and women not welcomed to unions, a problem seen up to First World War. Skilled workers tried to protect position but exclusive nature meant that workers couldn’t exert much pressure on employers. In New Deal unskilled workers in mass-production denied rights as AFL focused on protecting craft unions.
How did the AFL and CIO break apart and then come back together?
In the 1930s it was clear that the AFL was intending to amalgate craft unions over helping the unskilled workers. In 1935 unskilled workers broke away and formed the Committee on Industrial Organisation which became the Congress of Industrial Organisations by 1937. Established unions in mass-production industries. By 1955 the AFL and CIO merged and 16 million workers were brought together, 85% of union members. Could exert more pressure on American economy.
How did workforce decline?
After WWII there was a large increase in white-collar and service employment with workers more reluctant to join a union and more willing to sign no-strike agreements. By 1960 only 31% of workforce were in unions. Division between white-collar workers and others as seen with 1981 PATCO strike. In 1970s to 80s the blue collar workforce continued to decline and white collar workers received benefits such as pensions and healthcare making them unlikely to join unions.
What were positive consequences of AFL-CIO merger?
The AFL-CIO in the 1960s gave union members rights to contract negotiations, promotion regulation, and opportunities to voice grievance. Wages of union members were 20% higher than non-union members in the 1960s and in the 70s and 80s when unions were declining the AFL-CIO established a department for rising workforce in public sector.
Early in period what groups did unions exclude?
Unions excluded ethnic groups such as African Americans and immigrants from southern and central Europe, alongside Asia, as they believed such workers had lower rates of pay. This was prevalent in early period. Some African Americans established unions but many were non-unionised and employers had them work for lower pay rates.
How did AAs and immigrants after abolition threaten unions and strikers?
After abolition African Americans joined industrial workforce. Whites and immigrants unwilling to work with them. During industrial unrest, those who could organise union action were laid off alongside those who participated in unrest, promoting the employment of African Americans. Divisions hurt unity. Immigrants moved to cities during the early period and accounted sometimes for more than half the population, being more willing to work for low pay.
How did AAs gain recognition in unions and what prevented their unity with white people?
In the Pullman Strike union leaders were sacked preventing organisation. The AFL didn’t exclude African Americans but affiliates did meaning that porters didn’t receive recognition until 1937 when the union achieved collective bargaining settlement with the Pullman Company. Economic separation outlined by Booker T Washington saw AAs not joining unions with white people. They created their own unions which weakened unity of workforce.
During the civil rights movement why did divisions remain? How did immigration after Vietnam hurt unions?
Even during the period of the civil rights movement divisions remained as unions didn’t help to promote equal opportunity for African American workers. Smaller unions didn’t welcome members of different races. Between 1971-90 2.5 million immigrated from Asia, particularly after Vietnam War, and were willing to work lower wages and for firms which ran non-union enterprises.
Outline women’s union participation from Gilded Age to New Deal.
Women received lower wages for the same job. In 1903 the Women’s Trade Union League was established to encourage women to join unions, inspired by the 1911 fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company which killed 145 workers. Involved in franchise. WTUL sought eight hour day and minimum wage which brought it into conflict with male unions. The New Deal didn’t bring equal pay and women continued to campaign;. Not all male unions supported equal pay and many did simply so men would be employed over women.
After WWII what happened to union membership for women?
After WWII more women entered workforce. Some joined unions. Many women worked part-time in service industries and had less interest in joining unions, weakening numerical power of them. Not case for all as some women worked full-time and were concerned about child care and maternity leave. More interested in unions than feminist movement. In 1970s with declining economy and falling union membership, this was largely due to women’s attitudes as they entered high-tech industry and received welfare schemes.
