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Why Was Organized Labor Successful

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The World War II was happened in 1929-1945. Workers in the Great Depression of the initial reaction were shocked and demoralization. Many workers who unemployed or condemn themselves because they think they do not earn enough money to support their family. However, it turns to the government and business leaders that cannot solve the economic crisis, more and more individual despair to collective protest. Organized workers, trade unions, began to fight back pressure conditions and low wages. Roosevelt did not come into office as a pro-union political leader and did not have a coherent plan to restructure the economy during that time. Nonetheless, Roosevelt administration clearly that must do something to make the economy moving again. Initially, …show more content…

The upsurge in union organizing and labor struggles was evident in 1934. More successful were three general strikes that year. Roosevelt also set up NLRA and still basis of labor legislation in the United Stated. Unions became a much stronger force in the United Stated economy during 1920-1954. In 1935, unions represented about 13% of workers; by 1940, they represented about 35%. During WWII, the unions agreed to a no-strike pledge, although in fact there were numerous wildcat grievance strikes in the context of fill employment. The War Labor Board had a mixed impact on workers and their unions. The wartime economic context of strong demand for labor, profitable government contracts for business, and government support for unionization helped organized labor enormously. Union membership expanded rapidly and union leaders played a role in advising government. Also, during WWII, millions of women and minorities joined the industrial work that force to fill jobs vacated by men fighting in the war. In 1944, the unions were reelection of President Roosevelt. WWII ended in August 1945. By this time, both labor and management were ready for conflict. Thus, with the inflation and wartime wage

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In Lizabeth Cohen’s book, Making a New Deal, it shows a timeline of the shift that took place in the American people during the Great Depression. Before the Great Depression in 1919 there was a wave of strikes that failed after the Great War. The disappointment from the little gains for the American working class caused the labors to abandon some of their values and look for better ways to organize the Unions. When the Great Depression hit America labors had to come up with new ideas and behaviors to create a stronger Unions. Stronger Unions made it possible for them to have power in national politics and still succeed in their work life.

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Union strikes were not an uncommon occurrence in the 1900s due to inflation caused by the war. Wages were low, and working conditions had room for improvement. In 1919, the Boston Police force went on strike, effectively stripping the city of the majority of its police force. Without much authority, crime rates went up, and the public began to turn against the police. They turned to the government for answers.

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Industrialization created many labor strikes such as the coal strike in 1902, which was a strike where most of the workers wanted higher wages, less hours, and just better recognition from their union. Roosevelt wanted a more interventionist role for the federal government and this was proved in the coal strike. In the magazine, Smithsonian, it states, “Once settled in his new job, Roosevelt aimed to guarantee that, as America’s prosperity took hold, the laws applied to the country’s elite and its poor alike—to its agitated laborers, and its heralded capitalists. He wanted to assert the primacy of government over business.” (Berfield, 2020)

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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.

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Labor became organized and unions arose. The Knights of Labor, farmers and workers cooperative alliance, and the American Federation of Labor were created to insure

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In 1935, the United States passed the Wagner Act which enables more workers rights and gave the right to join/form unions and participate in collective bargaining. But this was not to be passed before many workers began to form unions and were refused that ability. Many riots and strikes were put into place to try and protect their rights. Some strikes became violent resulting in deaths, while others just created trouble for the workers. These efforts without initial government backing caused many problems but many changes.

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The biggest accomplishment of this presidency was his program known as The New Deal, which Roosevelt introduced in the first one hundred days of his presidency as an attempt to reform the nation following war, depression, and greed. With the formation of the National Recovery Administration in June of 1933, industrialists were encouraged to establish fair working conditions, set prices, and minimize competition through “codes” which would ensure fair treatment of workers and promote the economy in general. The New Deal also sought to promote organization of labor through the Committee of Industrial Organization (CIO), which aimed to unionize major industries, even steel and automobiles (which had been extremely anti-union in the past). This is the most drastic shift that can be seen in the relationship between government and labor in the United States, and it is clearly in favor of the labor workers. This demonstrates that in the reform which seemed to end this period of unrest, the government finally began to consistently side with labor

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The ramifications of the Great Depression extended far beyond the borders of the United States, impacting countries globally. The labor movement faced immense challenges during this period as soaring unemployment decimated union ranks and bargaining power. However, a turning point emerged as unions regained strength and a surge of militancy took hold by 1933-1934. Two critical factors drove this revival: 1) the pro-labor provisions of the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), and 2) the New Deal's economic relief and job creation programs putting people back to work and reinvigorating consumer demand. Section 7a of the NIRA proved instrumental to labor's restoration by granting employees the right to join unions and bargain collectively

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Elected President in 1932, Americans believed he could combat the Depression than what was already done by former President Hoover. Roosevelt promised a "new deal" and by implementing a variety of innovative policies, FDR was able to pull the United States away from the brink of economic, social, and political disaster. Which would lay the foundation for future stability and prosperity. Under FDR, the American federal government assumed new and powerful roles in the nation's economy. The federal government in 1935 guaranteed unions the right to organize and bargain collectively.

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However, the economic crises in 1837 collapsed the labor unions because of economic hard times, and with immigrants coming in surplus willing to work for cheap, regular people could not compete and thus had to work at the beckon of the factories. Labor unions worked when the economy was resilient, but when the economy was shocked, everyone was too afraid of demanding more when there were those willing to work for

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The Roosevelt administration’s pro union stance and legislation passed by congress during the new deal contributed to the gains of the labor union made during the Great Depression. Collective bargaining was allowed by the National Industrial Recovery Act. Collective bargaining is the negotiation of wages and other condition of employment by an organized group of employees. The NIRA was another measure of Franklin Roosevelt to assist the nation in economic recovery, which supervised fair codes and guaranteed laborers a right to collective bargaining. The depression also had an impact on minorities and women.

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Early labor unions went through a lot to get to where they are. Some succeeded and some failed. The National Labor Union was the first national work organization in the United States. Established in 1866 and broke down in 1874 and was driven by William H. Sylvis. The National Labor Union took after the unsuccessful endeavors of worker activists to shape a national coalition of neighborhood exchange unions.

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Labor itself made a lot of gains during the Progressive Era, mostly at the state level; however government gave no support to unions. Labor failed to organize basic industries, while most judges cared about property than human rights and issued injunctions. President Taft was Roosevelt’s predecessor in 1909. Prices were rising so midwesterners blamed it on the Dingley Tariff. President Taft said he would lower tariffs,but “old guard” Republicans raised them instead.

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The labour was more productive after the World War II and they made more profits for their employers. In return the employers also offered incentives, medical facilities and established labour unions to make their voice reach the highest

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