Trade Unions pre-WW1
Progress Lack of progress
1914 (‘trustbusting’) Clayton Antitrust Act Supreme court supported employers and issued
passed by Woodrow Wilson aimed to set out an injections to prevent strike action- Omnibus
enforcement act to control mergers who Indictment Act prohibited workers from
compromised competition persuading others to strike
Teamsters Union (International Brotherhood of 1905 Locher Vs New York case rejected a law to
Teamsters) established in 1903 was a national limit the number of hours a baker could work
union comprised of local unions who operating arguing it was unnecessary to protect health of
autonomously to organise strikes at a local bakers
level. This union remains one of the biggest in
USA today
Industrial Workers of the World (wobblies) 1915 Coppage Vs Kansas allowed to use of
created in Chicago 1905 renowned for yellow-dog contracts
defending rights of poor and illiterate workers.
Membership peaked at 100,000 in 1923
By 1915 there were 2,560 trade union Wobblies = militant group with reputation of
members violence meaning many employers suspicious
and reluctant to work with them. By 1924
divisions caused by constant harassment
through arrests and government prosecutions
weakened strength
AFL became increasingly involved in politics and Trade union membership only represented 20%
influencing local and national elections- crucial of agricultural workforce and many industries
role in Woodrow Wilsons 1912 presidential remained non-unionised (Steel, textiles and
campaign who once inaugurated set up a new automobiles)
Department of Labour with former trade union
leader as its head
Most of rights won limited to white, male
workers and surrounded by uncertainty due to
economic fluctuations and struggles with
employers
By 1910 ¾ of city populations were immigrant
with 70% coming from Italy, Russia, Greece and
Austro-Hungarian Empire- threat to social order
as millions of poorer foreigners increased
competition for jobs = wage reductions
Progress Lack of progress
1914 (‘trustbusting’) Clayton Antitrust Act Supreme court supported employers and issued
passed by Woodrow Wilson aimed to set out an injections to prevent strike action- Omnibus
enforcement act to control mergers who Indictment Act prohibited workers from
compromised competition persuading others to strike
Teamsters Union (International Brotherhood of 1905 Locher Vs New York case rejected a law to
Teamsters) established in 1903 was a national limit the number of hours a baker could work
union comprised of local unions who operating arguing it was unnecessary to protect health of
autonomously to organise strikes at a local bakers
level. This union remains one of the biggest in
USA today
Industrial Workers of the World (wobblies) 1915 Coppage Vs Kansas allowed to use of
created in Chicago 1905 renowned for yellow-dog contracts
defending rights of poor and illiterate workers.
Membership peaked at 100,000 in 1923
By 1915 there were 2,560 trade union Wobblies = militant group with reputation of
members violence meaning many employers suspicious
and reluctant to work with them. By 1924
divisions caused by constant harassment
through arrests and government prosecutions
weakened strength
AFL became increasingly involved in politics and Trade union membership only represented 20%
influencing local and national elections- crucial of agricultural workforce and many industries
role in Woodrow Wilsons 1912 presidential remained non-unionised (Steel, textiles and
campaign who once inaugurated set up a new automobiles)
Department of Labour with former trade union
leader as its head
Most of rights won limited to white, male
workers and surrounded by uncertainty due to
economic fluctuations and struggles with
employers
By 1910 ¾ of city populations were immigrant
with 70% coming from Italy, Russia, Greece and
Austro-Hungarian Empire- threat to social order
as millions of poorer foreigners increased
competition for jobs = wage reductions
