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The Industrial Revolution
Period of time where there was a transition to new manufacturing processes. The transition included going form hand production to machines. The Industrial Revolution inlfuenced almost every aspect of life in some way. Income and population grew and standard of living increased. Worker wanted to increase their bargaining position in the market so they organized. -
The Great Southwest Railroad Strike
With a fast expansion of railroad across America, the Knights of Labor workers called a strike spanning across Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Texas with over 200,000 stikers. The protesters claimed to be working under unsafa conditions, oppressive hours, and a meager pay. However, other railroad union members did not support the strike and the railroad companies prevailed by hiring non-union workers. -
The Great Antracite Coal Strike
The sritke started with coal miners who were part of the United Mine Workers of America. who were seeking better wages and imporved conditions. It was feared that this stike would lead to a major enenergy crisis since they held the nation's lagest supply of anthracite coal. The strike ended in 1903 when President T. Roosevelt intervened. The miners agreed to a 10% raise. -
The Steel Stike
350,000 steel workes in Pittsburg working for The United States Steel Corporation were protesting long hours, low wages, coporate harassment and poor working conditions, shut down almsot half of the country's steel industry. The company fought back by tuning public seniment away from stikers and linking them to communism and immigration problems. The strike was unsuccessful resulting in no unions in the steel industury for 15 years. -
The Great Depression
The Great Depression began after the stock market crash of Ocotber 1929 which wiped out millions of investors. This caused a decline in industrial output an increase in unemployment. The economy didn't turn around until World War II in 1939. -
The Wagner Act
Signed by President Benjamin Franklin, this act protectes the workers right to form unions and stike without fear of being intimidated by their employee. This act established the National Labor Relations Board directed to enforce employee rights rather than to mediate disputes. Requries employers to engage in collective bragaining with labor unions. -
The Fair Labor Standards Act
Thia law established minimun wage, overtime pay eleigibily, recordkeeping, and child labor standards. This affected full-time and part-time workers in the private sector, federal state and local govenrmnent. -
World War II
The war essentially ended the US Great Depression. By 1945, much of the American industry was oriented to defense production or completly dependent on it, The rapid scientific and technological advances that emerged form this time period established a permanent expectation of continuing innovations. -
United Mine Workers of America (the Bituminous Coal Strike)
Ralling about 400,000 people, this strike affected about 26 states. The strikers were protesting for safer working conditions, health benfits, and better wages. Presient Truman attempted a negotiation with the strikers but failed resulting in a $3.5 million fine on the miners. Eventually the demands were met in a compromise with the President. -
Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act
This act deals with the realtionship between unions and its members.This act establishes a Bill of Rights for union members. Sets reporting requirements for labor organizations, union officers and employees, employers, labor consultants. This act also enacts the standards for the regualar election of union officials and protects unions funds and asests.
