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Labor Unions During The Industrial Revolution

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Labor unions have been around for many years and have established various laws and regulations. According to Mondy and Martocchio, the definition of labor unions refers to the organizations that exist to represent the interests of employees in the workplace and to ensure fair treatment when conflicts arise between one or more employee and management. Labor unions negotiate collective bargaining agreements that discuss the terms of employment in a written document. Unions exist to provide employees with compensation and employee benefits, job security, and how the attitude of management relates. Although, many individuals join unions for various reasons they use them are relevant. Also, labor unions range from different organizational structures, …show more content…

The Industrial Revolution was established in the 18th and 19th century in Britain, which allowed the use of machinery and human-made tools to be built and create the mass production. This movement was very beneficial to the working-class people but was a disadvantage for lower class people due to the pollution (Industrial Revolution). Since the Industrial Revolution, many workers performed the same jobs, but the positions divide into categories, such as production or administration. Thus, many practices were created to handle several HR work-related issues. In all, labor unions have impacted how workers are treated in the workforce and more importantly, how labor laws have helped define the labor …show more content…

The labor movement was established to develop labor laws for all employees and ensure that they are treated fairly in the workplace. From this movement, many workers wanted better wages and safer working conditions, which led to providing health and benefits and developing child labor laws. The child labor laws prohibited children from working because it is unsafe conditions for them and they are required to enroll in school. In 1768, the first labor strike occurred when New York tailors were demanding reduced wages, which created a national society for tailors. Since this formation of a union, many workers from various places protested for their working rights and interest, as well. In 1886, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) was created to assist all workers, regardless of any protected class due to protesters not conforming to labor reform purposes (Labor Movement). According to Mondy and Martocchio, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is the central trade union federation in the United States that is compromised of national unions with little formal power or control, in which they are autonomous and make their policies and decisions (Mondy). In all, the labor movement has defined how labor

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They have set rules and regulations for workers so that they can be safe while doing their jobs and are forcing employers to raise wages. The early unions obtained the eight hour work day and the foundation for the Workers Compensation Acts, but the unions today have built on that foundation and raised the standards, so that the working men and women can give their families a roof over their heads and food on the table. Labor unions fight for the rights of workers. Today, they are trying to keep jobs in America and get the companies to let union workers to do the jobs needed instead of hired contractors. Many people today would agree with Mother Jones when she said “As I long to see the day when Labor will have the destiny of the nation in her own hands and she will stand as a united force and show the world what the workers can do.”

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Most trade or labor unions were initially formed to bring workers together to petition and receive work environments more favorable to the workers. Their strength lied in numbers as the management was unlikely to fight against the masses. However, these days, many major unions such as the AFL-CIO, today work to create and make available the top benefits for members of a company. Some of this include includes the areas of positive work environments, job security, pay and benefits, and the capacity to go on strike if certain conditions are not met. Meanwhile, larger unions additionally work politically to influence legislation that will continue to create benefits for the companies that are represented along with its employees.

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The AFL was established in in 1886 led by Samuel Gompers. Many members of this group were former members of Kings of Labor. At first the AFL only allowed skilled workers to join the group. The organization’s membership rose greatly during World War I, since the government gave multiple concessions to workers and unions. Since the United States was engaged in the war, the government wanted to avoid strikes, so by stepping in on behalf of workers with their employers, the government believed they could do so.

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The AFL was in place to help “skilled craftsmen such as carpenters, plumbers, and mechanics”(Brucher 1). The main problem with the AFL was that many unions only fought for higher wages and exiled industrial workers, women, African Americans and immigrant workers from joining. Because of this IWW was formed in 1905 and unlike AFL, IWW welcomed all workers and did not discriminate against any race, nationality or sex. IWW argued that workers deserved more than what the AFL argued for and also were in favor of general strikes in all industries, which they gained success

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Prior to the advent of labor unions, workers suffered under the oppressive treatment at the hands of those who employed them. At the dawn of the industrial revolution, factory workers faced long hours with few, if any, breaks, poor air quality, and no days off. Many workers were women, children, and newly-arrived immigrants who were subjected to low wages and, in some extreme cases, even sexual abuse. Young women, like those in the Lowell System, were under strict control by their employers who watched their every move. Once industrialization occurred more and more people moved from the country to the city in search of factory work; these too were left to the control of their employers.

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The early labor unions were created to protect the workers of the industrial revolution. Prior to this union being created workers had virtually no rights (Schultz, 2014). There were very little safety concerns for the workers, nor concern for their well-being as humans at all. As of today, we have FMLA, workman’s comp, job security, and human resource departments to protects all our rights. These people had none of this.

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Labor unions were formed. Political views clashed. Strikes were used by miners and steelworkers to bargain with business owners used strikes. Laws were made that allowed segregation. Discrimination occurred against African Americans; they couldn’t used the new forms of transportation introduced during the second Industrial Revolution.

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Labor unions arose from the outcry of the working class after being subjected to borderline dehumanizing conditions of the workforce. Workers were treated as disposable waste capable of performing tasks and lacked the respect they deserved. There was a general disregard for the working man, woman, and child, and it was evident through their pay, working hours, unsafe working conditions, sexism, racism, or age. Take note, as well, that many of these conditions were tolerated first out of desperation and pressure from incoming immigrants. Otherwise, surely strikes and unions would have risen sooner.

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The epic poem, The Odyssey of Homer, published by Henry I. Christ, is an intriguing story that displays the journey of a hero. Odysseus, the main character in Christ’s poem, has multiple characteristics shown. For example, Odysseus’s variety of characteristics include him being clever, arrogant, brave, and cunning. His bravery because he had come upon multiple deadly and scaring situations and managed to pull through get himself out of them.

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During the nineteenth century the U.S was immersed in the era called the Industrial Revolution and there were many negative aspects that came with innovation. A combination of negative aspects of the industrial revolution including economic instability (Booms and Busts), job insecurity, and dangerous work conditions led to the creation of gatherings of workers called labor unions. This century was known for two main national labor unions, the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor. The first national union was the Knights of Labor it was founded in 1869 by Uriah Stephens. The Knights of Labor were the first union to organize skilled, unskilled, men, women, white, and black workers.

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Workers in the Industrial Revolution frequently employed labor unions to organize strikes in order to gain leverage over companies so they could force improvements. The Industrial Revolution marked a time of horrendous working conditions and quality of life for many working class people. The typical work week is six days and consists of 12 hour shifts with few breaks. Children as young as six had to work jobs in factories and mines alongside adults to help their families make enough money to survive. Additionally, growing urban areas offered poor sanitation and services, furthering the destruction the Industrial Revolution caused to the working class.

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The topic of Labor Unions has been the focus of many political debates in recent years, with these discussions having people advocate for and against the unions. Labor Unions are an organization that represent a collective group of employees to protect and further theirs rights and interests. Labor Unions were first introduced in the eighteenth century with increasing numbers around the United States and the world, but unfortunately during the past decade these numbers have drastically decreased, resulting in less education and achievement of solidarity among employees. Solidarity is the unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest. Workers in the United States would benefit more through labor

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Labor Unions were created for the safety and needs of the people. Many are created to protect and further people’s rights. If workers feel like they are receiving unfair treatment, they will fight for what they believe in. When the labor movement first began, it was used for the common interest of workers. This movement led efforts to end child labor, give health benefits, and provide aid to workers who were retired or injured (Labor Movement).

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The first traces of labor unions in the United States began as early as the 1700’s. In 1770, the first union was formed for craft laborers. The Knights of Labor, founded in 1869, was the first national union that sought to represent workers from different occupations. The group's radical politics and violent tactics led to its disappearance by 1900. Founded in 1886, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) was another national group representing various trades but it did not have the political agenda of the Knights of Labor.

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The following section discusses the decline in trade union membership, reasons of decline union in membership and the solution of the declines, advantages and disadvantages of trade unions membership in any employment. Trade union is an organization who have come together to achieve common goals such as protecting the integrity of its trade, improving safety standards, achieving higher pay and benefits such as health care and retirement, increasing the number of employees an employer assigns to complete the work and better working conditions. Most trade unions are independent of any employer. However, trade unions try to develop close working relationships with employers. This can sometimes take the form of a partnership agreement between the employer and the trade union which identifies their

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