Trade union notes
The position of unions and organised Labour 1865-1992
Issues:
• The right for unions to exist
• Recognition of unions
• Involvement of unions in negotiations over pay and working conditions
• Medication
• Freedom to withdraw their Labour without punishment
Economic change, the growth of capitalism, immigration influenced progress.
At the start of the period workers/unions were dependent on what workers could
negotiate with their employers, however there was no requirements for employers to
recognise unions. Workers had no representation/protection from employers.
By the end of the period:
• They had won the right to join a union – some employers could create a
workplace where unions were forbidden.
• Right to collective bargaining – without representation the workers were in a
weaker position to improve their rights – fear of losing their jobs.
• Right to go on strike – some employers brought in a no-strike clause.
The extent of Labour and union rights by WW1
Growth in union membership – limited to white male workers.
Growth of industrialisation – employers hired unskilled workers under contracts – could
be laid off when there was less need for work. Long hours with limited safety
precautions to ensure more profit – large number of accidents.
Unions in the late nineteenth century
Knights of Labour (KOL) – 1869, membership of 700,000 – 1886, having only 20,000
members in 1881.
Wabash Railroad strike was crucial to growth, however violence of the Haymarket Affair
– damaged reputation.
American Federation of Labour (AFL) - attempted to unite all workers 1914 – 2 million
members.
Industrial Workers of the World – 1905, militancy/violence = disliked by employers –
100,000 members by 1923.
, Divisions in the workforce affected membership of unions. AA workers accepted lower
rates of pay, employers exploited this by replacing white workers with AAs.
A divided workforce made it easier for employers to exploit them.
American Civil War
Weakened by Homestead strike of 1892 – virtually bankrupted the Amalgamated
Association of Iron and Steel Workers. Decline of union membership from 24,000 1891
to 6,300 by 1909.
Pullman strike of 1894 – difficulties in trying to gain recognition.
• TU membership – 2 million across USA
• TUs putting pressure on candidates in elections to support worker’s rights.
• Represented only 20% of non-agricultural workforce
• Many industries (steel/car manufacturing) didn't have unions
• Unions not legally recognised
• Workers were divided by race, gender and level of skill – gains were limited to
white, male, skilled workers.
WW1 and the interwar years
1914-1918: Position of workers and unions improved.
Factory owners saw an increase in demand for products – more willing to negotiate with
workers so that production/profit was maintained.
National War Labour Board 1918 – Eight hour day limit but workers had to agree to a no-
strike policy.
Boom of the 1920s:
Rise in real wages and a decline in unemployment. Employees were often offered
benefits: reduction of working hours, pensions, insurance.
• Welfare capitalism – no-strike agreements and abandoning the right to negotiate
wages.
• In some industries, company unions were set up – forced to sign ‘yellow-dog
contracts.
• Many employers refused to recognise unions – Henry Ford (1941 when he
recognised unions for collective bargaining)
• The railroad companies employed AAs as porters. Poor working conditions,
relied on tips, prevented from unionising.
The position of unions and organised Labour 1865-1992
Issues:
• The right for unions to exist
• Recognition of unions
• Involvement of unions in negotiations over pay and working conditions
• Medication
• Freedom to withdraw their Labour without punishment
Economic change, the growth of capitalism, immigration influenced progress.
At the start of the period workers/unions were dependent on what workers could
negotiate with their employers, however there was no requirements for employers to
recognise unions. Workers had no representation/protection from employers.
By the end of the period:
• They had won the right to join a union – some employers could create a
workplace where unions were forbidden.
• Right to collective bargaining – without representation the workers were in a
weaker position to improve their rights – fear of losing their jobs.
• Right to go on strike – some employers brought in a no-strike clause.
The extent of Labour and union rights by WW1
Growth in union membership – limited to white male workers.
Growth of industrialisation – employers hired unskilled workers under contracts – could
be laid off when there was less need for work. Long hours with limited safety
precautions to ensure more profit – large number of accidents.
Unions in the late nineteenth century
Knights of Labour (KOL) – 1869, membership of 700,000 – 1886, having only 20,000
members in 1881.
Wabash Railroad strike was crucial to growth, however violence of the Haymarket Affair
– damaged reputation.
American Federation of Labour (AFL) - attempted to unite all workers 1914 – 2 million
members.
Industrial Workers of the World – 1905, militancy/violence = disliked by employers –
100,000 members by 1923.
, Divisions in the workforce affected membership of unions. AA workers accepted lower
rates of pay, employers exploited this by replacing white workers with AAs.
A divided workforce made it easier for employers to exploit them.
American Civil War
Weakened by Homestead strike of 1892 – virtually bankrupted the Amalgamated
Association of Iron and Steel Workers. Decline of union membership from 24,000 1891
to 6,300 by 1909.
Pullman strike of 1894 – difficulties in trying to gain recognition.
• TU membership – 2 million across USA
• TUs putting pressure on candidates in elections to support worker’s rights.
• Represented only 20% of non-agricultural workforce
• Many industries (steel/car manufacturing) didn't have unions
• Unions not legally recognised
• Workers were divided by race, gender and level of skill – gains were limited to
white, male, skilled workers.
WW1 and the interwar years
1914-1918: Position of workers and unions improved.
Factory owners saw an increase in demand for products – more willing to negotiate with
workers so that production/profit was maintained.
National War Labour Board 1918 – Eight hour day limit but workers had to agree to a no-
strike policy.
Boom of the 1920s:
Rise in real wages and a decline in unemployment. Employees were often offered
benefits: reduction of working hours, pensions, insurance.
• Welfare capitalism – no-strike agreements and abandoning the right to negotiate
wages.
• In some industries, company unions were set up – forced to sign ‘yellow-dog
contracts.
• Many employers refused to recognise unions – Henry Ford (1941 when he
recognised unions for collective bargaining)
• The railroad companies employed AAs as porters. Poor working conditions,
relied on tips, prevented from unionising.
