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Working conditions in nineteenth century factories
American labor movement
Working conditions in nineteenth century factories
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David Montgomery, "The 'New Unionism ' and the Transformation of Workers ' Consciousness in America, 1909-22," Journal of Social History, Vol. 7, No. 4 (Summer, 1974): pp. 509-529 The “New Unionism” and the Transformation of Worker’s Consciousness in America, 1909-22 by David Montgomery, analyzes the attitude changes with blue-collar workers and the events that took place that caused the changes. The question that the author is attempting to answer is “Why did the working class perception change and how did employers respond to the working class demands?” Montgomery argues that the new vision of the working class is to control and manage industries, which caused employers to create new management initiatives.
The year 1894 was only the official holiday for the entire nation, but labor days and craftsmen parades had already been established nationally years before. Labor Day, by becoming nationally approved, helped to sate union movements that were crying out for public recognition of the wage-earners and the importance of their labor, and how it helped to release pressure of work in the new capitalist industrial society (capitalist industry is better?). This holiday, though state approved, was not state sponsored, depending on the labor union leaders to organize and pay for these parades and events that were to commemorate the usefulness of wage-earners in this new society. It was a problem from labor leaders due to their smaller unions, since each labor day parade was just a local celebration with no aid from other unions or leagues from around Canada, unemployment, strikes, and fleeting number of members by the twentieth century. (3) Though it was difficult, many cities were able to have parades and athletic events to celebrate Labor during the nineteenth century.
Before the structured labor society that we live in today, America was a very different working world; one plagued with injustice and grievances from workers across the job sectors. Two organizations, the Knights of Labor and later the American Federation of Labor acted as activists for reform and demanded better standards for working, living, and life for workers. Their strategies and success in achieving their goals were as different as the organizations themselves. Coming from a time of segregation and social divide, the Knights of Labor stood out as one of the most accepting labor unions of the age, which largely accounted for their membership to reach almost 800,000 members during its peak. All workers in a trade were included, regardless of their skill level.
The National Labor Union (NLU), the Knights of Labor, and then the American Federation of Labor (AFL) all strived for a better workers’ condition. Specifically, Samuel Gompers, the founder of AFL, demanded “a reduction of the hours of labor,” “adequate wages,” etc. (Doc G) The labor unions took actions against the relentless business owners: the Railroad Strike, the Homestead Strike, and the Pullman Strike were examples that attempted to ameliorate working conditions by refusing to work. Similarly, the southern and western farmers formed organizations that asked for legislations that would benefit them.
The nineteenth century was the result of the U.S. growing urbanization and the early twentieth century marked the new industrial age. The workplace was dramatically changing bringing in women, children and immigrants, most unskilled workers. An abundance of workers were available for these jobs making them expendable in dangers conditions while wage continued to decrease. Most workers had at least a ten to twelve-hour work day, making less money than what was necessary to live a decent life. Health and safety conditions were a concern in the workplace, Federal laws offered little protection and poor workers had limited resources.
From 1875-1900, America was beginning to rise up from the increase in industrialization. However, dubbed “the gilded age” by Mark Twain, the thriving promise of a better , wealthier life in America was not as it seemed. When labor unions rose to change the harsh working conditions placed on workers, it seemed to be that they found little to no success. This was brought on by the little change that they made, the suffering and hardships they brought on themselves and others, and the little support they received from those around them. Although labor unions were able to change some conditions, most of those changes were minimal.
Labor and the US Government from 1890-1945 A key aspect of this nation’s history lies in the ever-shifting relationship between its government and its common man, most specifically its labor workers. This relationship plays a crucial role in the understanding of the changes that took place in America between 1890 and 1945. The changing relationship between government and labor workers in the United States between 1890 and 1945 demonstrates a period of unrest and a transitional period in which the focus shifted towards the working class as a result of the greed and corruption of 19th century business elite , as can be seen in the labor strikes requiring government intervention of the late 19th century, the progressives of the early 20th century
The organized labor of 1875-1900 was unsuccessful in proving the position of workers because of the future strikes, and the intrinsical feeling of preponderation of employers over employees and the lack of regime support. In 1877, railroad work across the country took part in a cyclopean strike that resulted in mass violence and very few reforms. An editorial, from the Incipient York Time verbalized: "the strike is ostensibly hopeless, and must be regarded as nothing more than a rash and splenetic demonstration of resentment by men too incognizant or too temerarious to understand their own interest" (Document B). In 1892, workers at the Homestead steel plant near Pittsburg ambulated out on strike and mass chaos the lives of at least two Pinkerton detectives and one civilian, among many other laborers death (Document G).
Workers endured conditions, “like the mouth of hell,” and suffered through, “inhuman,’ work for twelve hours a day. The furnace workers were paid $2.25 a day. Although this was above the national average in 1892, that wage was only paid to them two years after the strike. They also worked two hours longer than the average worker did. The men shoveling, and “two-thirds of the whole plant,” only made $1.40 per day, a little less than the average for all manufacturing industries even before the strike.
One of the bigger issues surrounding this age was the awful factory working conditions. Nobody listened to what the workers had to say during that time. “The employer desires to reduce wages and lengthen the hours of labor, while the desire of employees is to obtain shorter hours of labor and better wages, and better surroundings.” (Document C) This selection of document C shows that the employers wanted their employees to get paid even
Workers banded together to form these unions to protect their rights. A speech by Samuel Gompers, the leader of the union American Federation of Labor, stated his union’s demands for reduced hours of work, “adequate wages”, and
We see this reflected in our society today as well. The majority of people spend 8 hours at work, leaving time for family and sleep as well. Where as before this was regulated, there was people working 14-16 hour shifts. With these working conditions brings up the issue of blacks and how they were treated. This early on we see Jim Crow Laws being put into place, which is an early start to what will become known as the Civil Rights Movement, a huge turning point in American history.
The life of an industrial worker was very hard. Workers had to work long shifts and get paid very little. Some worked ten to twelve hours a day, six days a week, and made less than one dollar per hour. Along with long hours and little pay, there was no regulation for breaks, safety, or age. Due to this, one in eleven workers died on the job.
The laborer, toiling in factories and industry, did not fare much better than the small farmer. Immigration increased dramatically, providing the necessary workforce for industries. Socialist ideas, however, along with low pay, and the ability of some workers to enter the middle class (in part through the creation of a managerial class), kept labor unions from effectively protecting workers from exploitation. Low wages, long hours, job insecurity, hazardous working conditions, and gender, age and racial discrimination characterized the working life of many(?)/most(?)
Manifesto Outline Introduction: Human societies are characterized by patterns of relationships (social relations) between individuals who share a distinctive culture and environment (need to paraphrase definition). Different phenomenon contribute to the creation of relations between people in an environment. Appropriation is one of these. There are a variety of ways in which the built environment can encourage appropriation; leftover spaces (lo.s.) is one example.
