Although there had been improvement in position of AA workers, trade unions did little to promote equal opportunities for unskilled AA workers.
Black Power movement and trade unions and labour background
1 of 17
They were not well represented with AFL-CIO leadership, even though organisation followed non-racial policy, while racism was still evident among some firms.
Black Power movement and trade unions and labour background
2 of 17
By time of Malcolm X and Black Power movement there was still great deal needed to be done to improve position of AA workers
Black Power movement and trade unions and labour background
3 of 17
Some have argued aims and policies of Malcolm X and Black Power movement were important in winning civil rights and helped AA workers and position of unions
Gains for organised labour and unions
4 of 17
Movement encouraged trade unions to abandon any remaining racist practices within their organisations.
Gains for organised labour and unions
5 of 17
Some of civil rights legislation, such as Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, may have been influenced by movement and this had positive impact on workforce as funds were provided to train people and increase their employment opportunities.
Gains for organised labour and unions
6 of 17
Movement helped to focus attention on issue of poverty, which was particular concern among AA workers, and this may have influenced President Johnson's policy of 'Great Society - aimed to reduce numbers who lived below poverty line
Gains for organised labour and unions
7 of 17
Movement may also have encouraged later presidential action, such as Nixon's policy of affirmative action
Gains for organised labour and unions
8 of 17
Movement also provided practical help for AAs who lived in ghettos and kept issue of political agenda.
Gains for organised labour and unions
9 of 17
Although movement did result in some gains being made by AA workers, easier to suggest these gains were result of wider civil rights struggle and not just due to Black Power movement.
Limitations
10 of 17
Violence and militancy of Black Power movement lost support for AAs, not just among white population but also among AAs, and this may have limited their influence
The limited impact of the Black Power movement on the position of workers
11 of 17
Black Power movement put much of its emphasis on differences between AAs and WAs and did not argue for integration - this helped create further divisions among labour movement
The limited impact of the Black Power movement on the position of workers
12 of 17
Black Power movement did not place great deal of emphasis on economic position of African Americans, showing greater concern for culture, and therefore did little to improve economic position
The limited impact of the Black Power movement on the position of workers
13 of 17
In tackling economic issues, Black Power movement was more concerned about poverty, as many AAs were affected by it, rather than attempting to advance labour rights
The limited impact of the Black Power movement on the position of workers
14 of 17
Lack of concern about economic position of AAs is further emphasised by fact economic position of AAs was just one point in ten-point programme
The limited impact of the Black Power movement on the position of workers
15 of 17
Black Power further divided both civil rights movement and trade union movement because it emphasised AA solidarity rather than worker unity
The limited impact of the Black Power movement on the position of workers
16 of 17
Lack of concern among Black Power movement to improve labour and union rights makes it difficult to argue they played crucial role in bringing about advance in position of organised labour.
The limited impact of the Black Power movement on the position of workers
17 of 17
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Black Power movement and trade unions and labour background
Back
They were not well represented with AFL-CIO leadership, even though organisation followed non-racial policy, while racism was still evident among some firms.
Card 3
Front
Black Power movement and trade unions and labour background
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