Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

Collective Bargaining Creating Better Working Conditions

Good Essays
1637 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Collective Bargaining Creating Better Working Conditions
In the nineteenth century, America was sizeable as it delved into the Industrial Revolution and watched its economy grow. With new technology and a voracious appetite for capital goods, the nation’s productive capacity multiplied. Cities formed as business owners built factories that attracted and hired millions of workers. Immigrants poured into the country, while prospective settlers west found the frontier closed. The working class was scrambling for employment and factories willingly provided it. Yet the very abundance of these laborers turned them into expendable machine parts. No one bothered to make working conditions safer as society believed that the working class deserved their terrible conditions due to their lack of natural ability. Soon, however, workers found that they could unite to achieve their goals. At the turn of the nineteenth century, Americans, dissatisfied with low-paying, hazardous jobs stemming from Social Darwinism, publicized their plight and began to form unions that ineffectively bargained with factory owners and the government to create better working conditions. Unskilled workers in particular were subject to strict rules set by their employer about their hours and tasks. Stockholders needed profits, and laborers needed jobs. As a result, industry tycoons found that they could mistreat their underlings. Clocks were “set back to stretch the day”, and doors were locked to keep employees from leaving early (Mitelman 80). A minute of tardiness cost a precious hour’s salary, and almost a full hour of work at the end of the day did not translate into an hour’s compensation. A worker who arrived a few minutes late could get fired (Sinclair 20). But no matter; hordes of willing replacements teemed at factory gates. Too late did a congressional committee discover that Chicago packhouses were unsanitary and driving workers to their deaths. Employees had to work in closed rooms only slightly warmer than freezing and stand on wet floors that made feet more susceptible to disease. The committee reported the “neglect on the part of their employers to recognize or provide for the requirements of cleanliness and decency of the employees” (“House” 116). Industry had no care for their expendable workers, and the government was slow in discovering the health risks the working environment posed. Nor did companies concern themselves with more sudden hazards that could strike their factories. Out of economy and sheer nonchalance, they neglected to install basic safety measures. Thus the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in 1911 that started as a small fire and exploded into a conflagration amid the combustible shirtwaist fabric and wooden floors. Hundreds of workers perished as they rampaged through the long tables “out through the one open door” (Mitelman 82). The factory doors were troublesome as they opened inwards towards the pressing, panicking crowd. Firefighters found themselves stranded halfway off the ground as their ladders could not even reach the top three floors of the factory. The sheer momentum of those workers desperate enough to jump “ripped big holes through the life nets”, yet others continued jumping knowing that they were falling to their demise (Mitelman 82).The single fire escape soon buckled, plunging workers to their deaths before they could reach the safety of the neighboring rooftop (Mitelman 83). The systematic slaughter of Triangle Shirtwaist employees could have been avoided had the company heeded simple fire precautions. Yet the company’s owners, similar to other business magnates who held such power, only acted with such brazenness because of the social version of Charles Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” work. One of the greatest biologists in history, Darwin believed that the genetically supreme would succeed. Translated into Social Darwinism, industrial tycoons were rich because they were naturally talented. Assisted by high capabilities, wealth could burgeon in the hands of those who earned it, so the government had no place meddling with its cries of reform (Henretta 579). Men such as Andrew Carnegie, a wealthy steel businessman at the turn of the century, had himself risen from an abject immigrant childhood, crediting his competence. He believed in a few choice elite spreading the wealth to the poor, since “the laws upon which civilization is founded” had given society’s wealth to that group (Carnegie). Inheritors erred and squandered their bequests, since only the original businessmen had the “superior wisdom, experience, and ability” to earn such large fortunes (Carnegie). The working class could receive monetary assistance, but the most prosperous men, with the most power in lawmaking, decided there was no use in improving laborers’ conditions if they couldn’t rise out of poverty themselves. As the wealthy lived in luxury during the Gilded Age, unsympathetic to the plight of the uneducated masses, these men suffering from fires and starvation began the labor movement themselves in search of change. The Knights of Labor, founded in 1869, advocated republicanism as it strove for its goal of employee-run cooperatives with fair payment, a minimum working age, and gender equality. The group worked to secure “the organization and direction, by co-operative effort, of the power of the industrial classes” in order to achieve these mighty objectives (“Knights” 72). Their weapon of choice was strikes, or at least the threat of them. Combined with trade unions, the workers gained a potent weapon through their organization. However, the Knights were idealists, insisting on radical ideas such as that all laws must “bear equally upon capital and labor”, and were unwilling to yield in their quest to equalize capitalists and laborers (“Knights” 73). Thus the more realistic trade unions such as the American Federation of Labor began to replace the Knights. Unionists such as Samuel Gompers worked for smaller causes, such as an eight-hour workday. Claiming that shorter workdays would promote innovation and enhance industrial progress, Gompers convinced the public that an eight-hour workday would reduce labor to create “more advancement and intelligence, and a nobler race of people” (“Unionist” 74). Yet rhetoric was only rhetoric; the only way to combat big business was through strikes. Theoretically the strike was an effective tool, but in practice it was more often a failure. Strikers only held the power of collective bargaining if all employees left their posts and barricaded their replacement scabs. But many of the best workers initially resisted joining unions, as exemplified by Jurgis in Upton Sinclair’s portrayal of Chicago’s meatpacking industry. An immigrant fresh from Europe, Jurgis was a strong man who believed in Social Darwinism because he could do the strenuous butchering work. He believed the union was for weaklings, and “if they couldn’t do it, let them go somewhere else” (Sinclair 61). Even when the strike did succeed, arbitration between unions and managers still left workers with the short end of the stick. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory beseeched members of the Women’s Trade Union League to return after the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, luring them with promises of safety improvements that turned out to be hollow once the trusting girls returned to work (Mitelman 83). Yet workers could not know if changes would be implemented until they broke the strike, and once they did a new strike would be even more difficult to organize. The government too would rush to aid big business during strikes. In the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, hoodlums burned the Pennsylvania Railroad Company trains in a riot. The government charged the strikers with arson and rioting, “although it was common knowledge that it was not they who instigated the fire” (Jones 32). Deputy sheriffs hired by the Pittsburgh mayor created chaos in the city, but they too charged the results of their conduct to the strikers (Jones 32). Eventually quelled by federal troops, the riot was an example of federal government using court actions and anti-labor legislation to show that it supported industry above the common worker. Although the federal and state governments remained unconcerned with the working class, local political machines recognized their difficulties. As the grassroots representation of laborers, local government needed votes and could get them by improving the working environment. Collectively, the group of voters had more political influence through their political representatives than individuals did. Tammany Hall in New York City helped the newly formed New York State Factory Commission pass 56 laws concerning fire safety, hazardous machinery, and wages for womena dn children (Henretta 651). The New York Consumers’ League, middle-class women shocked by the indecency of working conditions, limited Oregon women’s working hours through the Supreme Court. Other lobbyists convinced Massachusetts to pass a minimum wage law for women and children in 1912 (Henretta 645). But Supreme Court rulings and the few government laws passed could be effective only when the laws were enforced. Factories such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory violated fire regulations even after the disastrous fire (Mitelman 83). With little to lose if disobedient, too often did industries turn deaf ears to government mandates of reform. Although the efforts of unions and politicians in the early twentieth century were easily defeated and fell short of lofty goals to improve working conditions, these spurs of labor reform began an effective labor movement that gathered force to stimulate the Progressive Era. Muckrakers exposing society’s ills tugged at heartstrings and stirred the fever of reform through the sight of revolting work and sickening men, providing a sharp contrast between capitalists and laborers. As the middle and upper class abandoned Social Darwinism, the Progressive Era emerged where the government finally became a friend rather than an enemy to the lower class. Progressive presidents welcomed bills limiting hours while promoting collective bargaining through labor unions. At the same time, both the executive and judicial branches worked to weaken big businesses consisting of trusts and monopolies. The struggle to lessen the differences between capitalists and laborers continued until mid-century, until the major goals of minimum wage, maximum hours, and prevention of child labor were achieved. Although laborers still strive for better conditions and industries still resist, workers are now armed with the tools they need to improve their plight.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    2000 Dbq Analysis

    • 972 Words
    • 4 Pages

    These new inventions lead to the creation of new jobs and the rapid growth of cities. The Southern cotton industry was booming due to the increased need for cotton thread in the northern textile mills. The increase in machinery and advanced technology also lowered the prices of food, lighting and fuel (Doc 1). Although the revolution brought about positive effect like more jobs and lowered prices on goods; it also brought about negative effects like overcrowding and poor conditions. Immigrants started to flood the cities in search for factory jobs resulting in areas with extremely high populations, overcrowded houses and poor sanitation. Not only did the middle class factory workers have poor home conditions, they also underwent extremely poor working conditions. Both men and women factory workers worked in dim, dangerous factories for long, grueling days spanning up to 12 hours to be paid the bare minimum. Factory workers were not looked at like human beings by the big corporate business men; their lives did not matter to them at all. The only positive to come out of the extremely dangerous condition was the rise of unions. Unions that formed during the Industrial Revolution were meant to unite the working men against the wrongdoings of the wealthy business owner. Unions demanded things like “...reduction of the hours of…

    • 972 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    DBQ: Organized Labor

    • 968 Words
    • 4 Pages

    From 1875 to 1900, there was a new kind of city in America, one that was based on industry, and industry needs workers. The factories needed hundreds of workers to run machinery and other processes in manufacturing, but these workers were not treated properly and they wanted to do something to improve the way that they were treated. The organized labor, although it showed some minor successes, was overall very unsuccessful in improving the position of workers from 1875-1900, because the actions of the unions were mostly unsuccessful, and the results of the strikes were very unsuccessful.…

    • 968 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Moreover, Freeland explained that the issue of income inequality is “the fruitful source of our political troubles and of our social broils. ”4 At this time in American history, the number of people employed in factory jobs had increased significantly; however, the rise of industrialization brought negative consequences for the poor, working class people who filled these positions. The average factory worker put in an incredible number of hours; in his “Address to the Workingmen of New England”, Seth Luther recalled that there were employers who would not hire “ten hour men” or men who refused to work more than ten hours in a day.5 Furthermore, Luther recalled that the workers were plagued by continuous labor, poor nutrition, and mental and intellectual degradation. Despite the amount of labor these people put in everyday, they were not adequately rewarded.…

    • 1361 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Between 1865 and 1910, the U.S. economy was regarded as impressive, but also exploitative. This period encompasses the Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, and the Progressive Era, and contains the rise of industrialization and the resulting surge of immigration in the United States. This period of quick economic growth and rising prosperity saw the U.S. become the world 's leading economic, industrial and agricultural power. The U.S. maintained an economic giant status, but at the cost of relaxed labor laws and poor working conditions. Employees faced crowded working spaces, low wages, and unreasonably long hours.…

    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    At the end of the nineteenth century the United States seemed to be racing forward in many areas, such as technological advancement, more efficient manufacturing, modernizing transportation, and of course, making money. America was, on the surface, improving greatly; underneath however, there were many problems including corrupt businesses and a growing lower class stricken by poverty. In 1900 to 1920 the Progressive Reform Movement swept the nation; progressive reformers rallied for equal treatment and better working conditions; the federal government adopted regulations that attempted to satisfy the wishes of the reformer; both groups had successes and limitations that ultimately led to an overall beneficial effect on the nation.…

    • 692 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Late 19th century America was a time of both prosperity and poverty. Although it is often remembered by the luxurious lives of those like the Rockefellers and Carnagies, the majority of the population was a struggling working class. Entire families worked for 10 hours a day, 7 days a week in dangerous, unsanitary factories just to have enough money for dinner and the issue of upgrading these working conditions quickly came to the forefront of American reforms. The movement towards organized labor from 1875-1900 was unsuccessful in improving the position of workers because of the initial failure of strikes, the inherent feeling of superiority of employers over employees and the lack of governmental support.…

    • 989 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Andrew carnegie

    • 1840 Words
    • 5 Pages

    According to Carnegie, the Industrial Age of the U.S. was witness to a great divide in humanity. American Business was able to grow by more than 400 percent between 1860 and 1900 alone. Similarly the nation’s wealth capitalized from 16 billion to 18 billion in this short time. As a product of the Laissez Faire ideology (little to no government regulation in the market), monopolies were allowed to emerge. John D. Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, and Andrew Carnegie became large public figures from their mastery of Big Business and the economy. However, while the economy and business prospered, many common workers suffered from 10 hour workdays for six days a week, low wages of one dollar and fifty cents per hour, abhorred working conditions, and sometimes serious injuries causing death: on average, 35,000 deaths and 500,000 injuries per year, as reported by Claver.gprep.org in 1890. Carnegie viewed the poor conditions and long hours as a negative aspect of the Gilded Age but argues that the conditions are not purposeful, but a product of the Gilded Age that “forces employers in the strictest economies” to cut back on safety…

    • 1840 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the United States, industrial workers lives were shaped by economic and political forces. Industrialization is the process in which a society or country is transform itself from a primarily agricultural society into one based on manufacturing of goods and services. Most of the factories workers and farmers went through a similar problems. As in the late nineteenth century, all work groups started to see changes such as individual workers and farmers jobs transformed as large corporations and financial institutions. The groups felt that they were shut out of the decision that made about the transformation.…

    • 841 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Triangle Factory Fire

    • 1030 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Dramatic changes happened during the nineteenth century as many industrial factories emerged, but with the rapid growth comes its consequences. Many people left the farmland to come to cities to work in factories. An influx of immigrants coming to America to seek a better life was also found during this Era, but found themselves taking on the low wage and “sweatshop” type work. During this time, there was a lack of federal regulation against the monopolistic companies. The Triangle Factory Fire serves as the pivotal point in women’s rights and labor rights during the Progressive Era in United States history. The documents examine the roles of Progressive reformers in challenging the government to take more control in regulating the workplace…

    • 1030 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the Gilded Age of the United States, industrialism was running ramped in the laissez- faire economy. Land grant and loans to the railroads helped bind the country together with steel ribs, but the farmers and workers of America faced difficult changes. But railroads took advantage of these assistances and formed pools where they would share customers and profits, which were often excessive because of the high rates of service to farmers. Workers, men women and children, faced harsh working conditions, long hours and little pay in factories. With the dangerous conditions, children often suffered severe injuries and women were paid less than their male counter parts. Both took steps to change their situation. The farmers and workers of America formed labor unions or alliances to negotiate better working conditions and compete against industrialism.…

    • 646 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    It has been demonstrated that the makeup of the working class has changed dramatically in the last 200 years. This change is a result of the processes of industrialization, colonialism, and globalization. Industrialization led to proletarianization, which had negative consequences on the working class and as a result, many workers throughout the industrialized world organized to advocate for improved status and conditions. Working class organizations by colonized workers also improved the conditions that these workers faced. However, many of the same issues that the workers in previous time periods faced are still prevalent today, such as precarity and forced labour, as a result of the process of globalization. Therefore, while there have been…

    • 140 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the year 1880 the first labor union(an association of workers) was created.this labor union was called the knights of labor.they promoted and tried to fight for 8 hour work days. but lost power due to a riot. they tried to fight for rights by either going on strike(employees refuse to work till something is done) or collective bargaining(negotiation between employer and employees). these strikes that people would have caused issues for the company's. the government then decided to make laws defending these rights. before the progressive era people had to work in environment so harsh and unhealthy that it was not safe for worker. an account from a worker,“There would be meat stored in great piles in rooms; and the water from leaky roofs would drip over it, and thousands of rats would race about on it. It was too dark in these storage places to see well, but a man could run his hand over these piles of meat and sweep off handfuls of the dried dung of rats. These rats were nuisances, and the packers would put poisoned bread out for them; they would die, and then rats, bread, and meat would go into the hoppers together…There was no place for the men to wash their hands before they ate their dinner, and so they made a practice of washing them in the water that was to be ladled into the sausage.”(Social Ills of Industrialization, Excerpt from Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle”). this quote explains the harsh working environments that workers had to go through. such as leaking water from roof. highly unsanitary because of rat infestation and highly likely get sick and infect food they are selling. but during the progressive era they fix the working conditions for the workers safety,”1849: Pennsylvania creates 10 hour work day for cotton, woollen, paper, bagging, silk and flax factories 1872: Massachusetts provides cheap transportation in the morning and the evening…

    • 906 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Social Worker Response

    • 1226 Words
    • 5 Pages

    In the 19th century, the U.S. was faced with a spate of immigrants (Ehrenreich, 2014). In fact, immigration patterns in the early 19th century included high levels of immigration from across the world, while legislation by the late 19th century limited immigration from many parts of world and encouraged immigration from Europe. Meanwhile, land was abundant in the early 19th century, leading to relatively high wages and a labor shortage. Yet, by the turn of the 20th century, industrialization had decreased the need for labor in agricultural sectors, while unions began to become popular, indicating a trend away from labor shortage and towards poor working conditions and poverty for many…

    • 1226 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the nineteenth century, Manchester, England, became an industrial powerhouse, growing immensely not only in size, but in economic value for its excellent production rates and its industrial fruits. There was a downside to Manchester’s industrial prowess, however. The conditions in which the people worked were awful. Even through this though, the people stood up for themselves, and through protests and revolts, by the end of the nineteenth century the working force of Manchester had gained better hours, better wages, and better conditions overall.…

    • 646 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    James and Twain s writings both attempt to define the nature of &”the American character”; Do they both see Americans the same way? Explain. Urbanization and industrialization have brought new problems: dilapidated and overcrowded housing, unsanitary conditions, low pay ("wage slavery"), difficult working conditions and the lack of regulation in the field of entrepreneurship. Workers began to unionize and strike with the help of the country paid attention to his plight.…

    • 1128 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays