Economic effects on Trade Unions and Labour Rights

1865 and Gilded Age

In 1865 wage rise of 74% for skilled workers but 32% for unskilled
Unskilled immigrants willing to work for less - expolited by employers, caused divisions in the workforce
Lassiez faire attitudes of government, favouring employers who could do whatever they wanted due to lack of legislation
AAs exploited by employers as 'scabs' to break strikes e.g. at Pullman Strike 1894

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In WW1 wages increased 20% and production 35%
Union rights and collective bargaining structure in return
Welfare Capitalism improved wages and benefits but 'company unions' could not negotiate wages
Ford in 1914 doubled wages

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Unemployment at 25% in 1933
National Industry Recovery Act 1933 established National Recovery Adminstration wich agree codes for wages, production levels
Wagner Act 1935 regulated labour disputes
Fair Labour Standards Act 1938 created minimum wage of $25, but still a wage gap of 25% for women
National War Labour Board helped settle wage disputes
WW2 increased wages to meet 15% rise in cost of living
Industrial earnings boosted 70%
50% women in the workforce, but still not paid equal

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New Frontier increased wage from $1.15/ hour 1961 to $1.25/ hour to 1963 in Steelworker's Union
Equal Pay Act 1963 made wage discrimination on basis of gender illegal
Great Society created Economic Opportunity Act 1964 which trained young people
1960s wages increased by 2% a year, 20% more for workers in unions, also got 60% more benefits
Chavez's National Farm Workers Association to campaign for greater economic rights for Chicano workers, 1970 Delano grape company increased waged to above the minimum

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Reagan cut personal income taxes by 25%
Federal budget in $200 billion deficit in 1983, had to cut back on welfare projects
Wages decreased and there was an 80% rise in unemployment
Salaries of chief executives rose 340%
Shift of power back to employers as non-unionised firms could negoatiate wages more and complaints to the National Labour Relations Board slowly processed

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