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Opposition to Unions… … Leads to their Demise. Employers. Wanted to work people as long as possible for as little as possible to make as much money as possible “If you don’t come in Sunday, then don’t come in Monday.” “I treat my workers as I treat my machines.”
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Employers • Wanted to work people as long as possible for as little as possible to make as much money as possible • “If you don’t come in Sunday, then don’t come in Monday.” • “I treat my workers as I treat my machines.” • “We’ll hire one-half of labor to kill the other half.” • “If you pay the working class too much they will just spend it on liquor and wild times.”
Employers… • Found it easy to influence the public and government • Hired lawyers to fight in courts • Contributed to politicians – “bought” Senators and Congressmen
Public • Very negative because of violence and strikes • Feared disorder and chaos • Felt it wasn’t right to “gang up” on the employers (i.e. Social Darwinism) • Angry when strikes caused shortages of goods
Immigrants & Unskilled Workers • Mistrusted unions • Unions were basically for skilled workers
Government • Government decisions dictated by economic interests • Sent in state militia and federal troops • stopped strikes • Issued injunctions • Sent labor leaders to prison • Debs during the Pullman strike
As a result… • Difficult for unions to be effective • Unions were losing members • In 1910, 8.3% of industrial workers belonged to unions • Also… • hurt themselves with continued prejudice against women & minorities