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Labor Organization and Power

Labor Organization and Power. Can Americans still value capitalism while empowering workers?. Origins of Unions. Trade Unions. Workers organized by profession then as workers across industries then a cross the country. Originated as guilds then secret societies.

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Labor Organization and Power

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  1. Labor Organization and Power Can Americans still value capitalism while empowering workers?

  2. Origins of Unions • Trade Unions • Workers organized by profession then as workers across industries then • across the country. • Originated as guilds then secret societies. • Soon required government support to exist (not received until 1910)

  3. Difficulties of Organizing Labor • Fear of losing jobs if joined union • Unwillingness to strike because of loss of pay • Public denounced unions as anti-capitalist • Strategies like boycotts and strikes disrupt life for the public (consumers) as well as company owners. • The Press and government frequently supported companies over workers. • Labor organizers stigmatized by fear of socialism.

  4. Effects of Immigration • Immigrants undermined union demand for higher wages • Provide Scab labor • Immigrants attracted by the de-skilling of jobs as technology advanced • Immigration allowed companies to rely on unskilled, low-paid workers • 1885 Congress disallows contract labor (immigrants to come to America under contract to a company)

  5. For each of the following slides What do you learn about the strike? Does the creator of the image provide support for the workers or reveal sympathy for the company owners/capitalists?

  6. Haymarket Strike Chicago, 1886

  7. Homestead Strike Caption: The mob assailing the Pinkerton men on their Way to prison.

  8. Pullman Strike

  9. Ludlow Strike Tent camp for Strikers at Ludlow Mine in Colorado

  10. Fears of Labor Tactics • As you watch this video about the men punished for the bombing at Haymarket, respond to these questions: • 1. Why were industrialists’ fears of revolution understandable? • 2. Explain how industrialists believed their right to property was under threat. • Consequences of Haymarket

  11. Cities Become a Forum • As urbanization expanded and more people moved into cities, the unions had opportunities to gain sympathy and to recruit supporters.

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