Background to Trade Unions and Labour in Gilded Age
Growth rate of 7% per year in US economy, largely in new manufacturing industries. Crucial issue is whether workers were beneficiaries of this growth.
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Background to Trade Unions and Labour in Gilded Age
Workers in these industries were often unskilled or semi-skilled and, in the period prior to this, had seen little recognition or protection.
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Improvements in the position of labour and union rights
Increase in demand for unskilled and semi-skilled labour in this period, particularly in transport and heavy industry.
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Improvements in the position of labour and union rights
Growth in demand for workers did allow unions to grow with Knights of Labor (KOL) seeing rise in membership from 20,000 (1881) to 700,000 in 1886.
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Improvements in the position of labour and union rights
Period also witnessed establishment of first national labour federation, American Federation of Labor (AFL), which was set up in 1886 and sought to link all unions.
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Improvements in the position of labour and union rights
Growth in demand for workers put AFL in strong position. Some businesses were willing to work with it and establish mechanisms by which buisiness and workers could negotiate - major development for workers
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Improvements in the position of labour and union rights
One of biggest gains: Wages rose dramatically, with some skilled workers seeing rise of 60% despite increase in available labour brought about by immigration.
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Improvements in the position of labour and union rights
One of biggest gains: Workers benefited from establishment of sickness clubs, to which they could contribute. If they were ill, they still had some income, even if it was limited.
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A lack of progress in labour and union rights
Growing demand for workers may have encouraged industrial militancy and violent strike action, as witnessed with Haymarket Affair in 1886. Violence of this protest damaged reputation of unions, discouraging many workers from joining.
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A lack of progress in labour and union rights
Economic slump at end of period meant there was unemployment, job insecurity and reduction in wages.
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A lack of progress in labour and union rights
Courts usually supported employers against workers and issued injunctions to end strikes.
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A lack of progress in labour and union rights
Government continued to follow laissez-faire policy and supported big business, which only added to lack of protection available to workers
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A lack of progress in labour and union rights
Lack of protection and demand for workers often meant many worked long-hours and in dangerous conditions, with some 2,000 rail workers killed in accidents in 1889.
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A lack of progress in labour and union rights
Lack of protective legislation and use of 'contract system' meant workers could be laid off during quiet periods; this became greater issue during slump.
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A lack of progress in labour and union rights
Increase in mechanisation led to decline in demand for skilled workers.
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A lack of progress in labour and union rights
Many of new workers taken on during period were unskilled and their wages were only 30% of skilled workers - this resulted in increasing inequality among workforce, which further divided it
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A lack of progress in labour and union rights
Divisions within workforce between skilled and unskilled workers, white and AA workers and WAs and immigrants could be exploited by employers, who used some of potential labour to break strikes.
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A lack of progress in labour and union rights
Appear gains organised labour made during period of growth were short-lived. Workers' position further weakneed by divisions within labour movement and attitudes of gov and employers towards workforce.
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Workers in these industries were often unskilled or semi-skilled and, in the period prior to this, had seen little recognition or protection.
Back
Background to Trade Unions and Labour in Gilded Age
Card 3
Front
Increase in demand for unskilled and semi-skilled labour in this period, particularly in transport and heavy industry.
Back
Card 4
Front
Growth in demand for workers did allow unions to grow with Knights of Labor (KOL) seeing rise in membership from 20,000 (1881) to 700,000 in 1886.
Back
Card 5
Front
Period also witnessed establishment of first national labour federation, American Federation of Labor (AFL), which was set up in 1886 and sought to link all unions.
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