The Labor Movement (1865-Present)
The American Labor Movement fought for workers%apos; rights, better working conditions, and economic justice. From the Industrial Revolution through today, it has shaped workplace standards and labor laws that affect millions of Americans.
Major Organizations
Knights of Labor
- Founded 1869
- First major national labor union
- Included skilled and unskilled workers
- Promoted producer cooperatives
American Federation of Labor (AFL)
- Founded 1886 by Samuel Gompers
- Focused on skilled craft workers
- %quot;Pure and simple unionism%quot;
- Emphasis on collective bargaining
Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)
- Founded 1905
- Known as %quot;The Wobblies%quot;
- Radical industrial unionism
- Advocated worker control of industry
Key Leaders
Samuel Gompers
AFL founder and leader for 40 years
%quot;What does labor want? We want more schoolhouses and less jails.%quot;
Eugene V. Debs
Socialist leader and presidential candidate
%quot;While there is a lower class, I am in it.%quot;
Mother Jones
Organizer and %quot;miners%apos; angel%quot;
%quot;Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.%quot;
Major Events
1877
Great Railroad Strike
1886
Haymarket Affair
1894
Pullman Strike
1911
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Key Demands
Working Conditions
- Eight-hour workday
- Workplace safety regulations
- End to child labor
- Better sanitation and ventilation
Economic Justice
- Living wages
- Equal pay for equal work
- Right to organize
- Collective bargaining
Tactics and Methods
Direct Action
- Strikes and walkouts
- Boycotts
- Picket lines
- Work slowdowns
Political Action
- Legislative lobbying
- Electoral campaigns
- Legal challenges
- Public education
Opposition and Violence
Corporate Tactics
- Blacklists
- Company unions
- Strike breakers (%quot;scabs%quot;)
- Yellow-dog contracts
Government Response
- Injunctions
- Military intervention
- Anti-union legislation
- Police suppression
Major Achievements
Legislative Victories
- National Labor Relations Act (1935)
- Fair Labor Standards Act (1938)
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (1970)
- State workers%apos; compensation laws
Workplace Standards
- 40-hour work week
- Minimum wage
- Workplace safety rules
- End of child labor
Legacy and Modern Impact
Lasting Influence
- Worker protection laws
- Collective bargaining rights
- Workplace safety standards
- Middle class expansion
Modern Challenges
- Globalization effects
- Automation impact
- Gig economy workers
- Union membership decline
Historical Significance
The Labor Movement fundamentally transformed American society by securing basic workers%apos; rights and protections that many now take for granted. Its struggles and achievements demonstrate how organized collective action can achieve lasting social change, while its ongoing evolution shows how movements must adapt to new economic and social conditions.