Problems that the urban factory worker faced Piecework pay based on how much you produce 1012 hour work day Poor airventilationpoor lighting Low wagescompetition from labor surplus Capitalistantiworker sentiment in early US history ID: 489282
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Working Conditions
Problems that the urban factory worker facedPiecework- pay based on how much you produce10-12 hour work dayPoor air/ventilation/poor lightingLow wages/competition from labor surplusCapitalist/anti-worker sentiment in early US historyNo insurance/job stability35,000 deaths in year in factoriesChild labor
Aim: How could you describe the working conditions in the factories of the US?Slide2
Child Labor
“There is a certain class of labor in mills where there is not as much muscular exercise required as a child would put forth in play, and a child can do it about as well as a grown person…There is such thing as too much education for working people sometimes. I have seen cases where young people are spoiled for labor by…too much refinement.”Children started to work at age 5Up to 19 hour days with 1 hr break (usually 12 hrs day/ 6 days a week)Over 50% under 10 worked full time job in cities during Industrial Era2 million under 15 by 1911What does it say about the US now that most children do not work and go to school?
Aim: How could you describe the working conditions in the factories of the US?Slide3
Aim: How could you describe the working conditions in the factories of the US?Slide4
Aim: How could you describe the working conditions in the factories of the US?Slide5
Aim: How could you describe the working conditions in the factories of the US?Slide6
Aim: How could you describe the working conditions in the factories of the US?Slide7
Aim: How could you describe the working conditions in the factories of the US?Slide8
Aim: How could you describe the working conditions in the factories of the US?Slide9
Purpose of Unions
With a partner…..1. Detail 4 things that a union does to help its members.2. Give 2 ways that a union is able to accomplish its goals.Impact of unions for workersProtect workers rightsHigher wagesHealth insuranceWorking conditions
Retirement benefits
Job security
Ways to accomplish goals
Mediation/negotiations
Arbitration
Strikes!
Pressure to prevent scabs
Aim: How did unions develop and try to help the workers?Slide10
AFL
American Federation of LaborFounded by Samuel GompersGoals“closed shops”- all union workersPool funds for strikesMostly skilled laborers½ million members 1900
Won ½ of their strikes,,,, pretty good % for the time period
5% of all workers in the US belonged to a union in 1900
Aim: How did unions develop and try to help the workers?Slide11
Eugene V. Debs
ARU and IWW founder Led many strikes for various unionsRan for President 4x under the Socialist Party6% in 19121 million votes in 1920 electionNot bad considering he was in jail at the time!!!Sentenced to 10 years for protesting WWIDebs v. United StatesAim: How did unions develop and try to help the workers?Slide12
Debs speech at his trial
Your honor, I have stated in this court that I am opposed to the form of our present government; that I am opposed to the social system in which we live; that I believe in the change of both but by perfectly peaceable and orderly means....I am thinking this morning of the men in the mills and factories; I am thinking of the women who, for a paltry wage, are compelled to work out their lives; of the little children who, in this system, are robbed of their childhood, and in their early, tender years, are seized in the remorseless grasp of Mammon, and forced into the industrial dungeons, there to feed the machines while they themselves are being starved body and soul....Your honor, I ask no mercy, I plead for no immunity. I realize that finally the right must prevail. I never more fully comprehended than now the great struggle between the powers of greed on the one hand and upon the other the rising hosts of freedom. I can see the dawn of a better day of humanity. The people are awakening. In due course of time they will come into their own. When the mariner, sailing over tropic seas, looks for relief from his weary watch, he turns his eyes toward the Southern Cross, burning luridly above the tempest-vexed ocean. As the midnight approaches the Southern Cross begins to bend, and the whirling worlds change their places, and with starry finger-points the Almighty marks the passage of Time upon the dial of the universe; and though no bell may beat the glad tidings, the look-out knows that the midnight is passing – that relief and rest are close at hand. Let the people take heart and hope everywhere, for the cross is bending, midnight is passing, and joy cometh with the morning. What imagery does he use in his speech,,, why?What do you think his goal was in making the speech?
Do you agree or disagree with his argument? Why/why not?
Aim: How did unions develop and try to help the workers?Slide13
Major Strikes
HaymarketHomesteadPullman Great RR Strike of 1877HwMake a chart for each of the strikes aboveName of Strike
Haymarket
Pullman
Homestead
Cause of the Strike
Company or person the strike targeted
Leader/Union
organizing the strike
Outcome/
Success/
Failur
e of Strike
Aim: How did unions develop and try to help the workers?