Monday (10-10)- Mr. Bruns continues to present
He has his hands full trying to get everything from his railroad. Banker had his money diverted in a lot of different ways.He is helping the US keep moving after the stock market crashed. Rich Uncle Penny bags aka Mr.Monopoly (1999). What are labor unions and why are they important for workers? Union of workers- It is a union of laborers in a specific industry banding together to get better wages and conditions. Power in numbers. Labor unions were/ are important because it gives a voice for workers and gets better wages and conditions for workers. More people in the labor union the more power you have.
Labor Unions: The folks who brought you the weekend, child labor laws, overtime, minimum wage, injury protection, workmens compensation insurance pension security (retirement), right to organize (don't join a league reunion)= 1900's they chose children because they will just do what they say and they don't know how much they are being paid. Overtime- time and half, double time how businesses get people to work over time. Post world war 2 overtime came into play. 40 cents.
Knights of Labor- Started in 1869. Most famous leader of the knights of labor was Terrence Powderly. Allowed all workers of an industry to join (not around today).
American Federation of Labor- Started in 1886 and still around today (AFL-CIO). Led by Samuel Gompers. Broken into "craft unions".
What did labor Unions do to get better wages and conditions?- Strikes- picketing, sit-ins, violence
Why did labor unions struggle to win strike in the late 1800's and early 1900's?-
All power was in the hands of the owner. It was easy just to fire people and hire immigrants that needed work.
Would simply fire workers and hire immigrants who needed work.- Immigrants had it better in US factories that in Europe
Would hire strikebreakers to take the place of workers.
Would impose lockouts.- They would lock people out and not let you in.
Would blacklist workers.- They would write your name on a list and send to other businesses to make sure they weren't hired again for joining a labor union.
Workers were called communists or socialists.
Everyone was against the labor union/workers at first. (Owners, police, newspapers, government)
State Militia Sent in to Break up Homestead Strike- 1892-
Lockout- Fence Built During the Homestead Strike
Labor Day-
Was established as a Federal Holiday by President Grover Cleveland in 1894 after some workers died at the hand of the US Army during the Pullman Strike of 1894. Cleveland and Congress passed it unanimously to appease labor unions.
Tuesday(10-11)- Watched The Men Who Built America
Wednesday(10-12)- Watched The Men Who Built America
Thursday (10-13)- Watched The Men Who Built America
Friday(10-14)- Watched The Men Who Built America
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