Answer Blog questions--Has the need for labor unions passed? Please include the rise of labor unions when they were needed in the post civil war era, and then answer the question regarding today.
In my opinion, the need for Labour unions has certainly not passed. However I do feel they need to change to match the times we live in.
At this present time, workers in the United States are not treated as poorly and unfairly as was the case when Labour unions first came into prominence, but that does not mean they are any less important. Still today there are many cases of harassment and bullying that can occur in the workplace, without a union there to help the worker then the problem would get worse.
In addition to this I think you must mention the point that Mr Gulotta made a few months ago about his time in Baltimore as a cop, the story was about a shop that kept getting robbed, but never while he was there because people were scared of the cops, this same analogy can be placed on unions, without them, many greedy employers would revert back to an unfair work environment.
On the flip side to this I do feel there needs to be a greater awareness from the unions regarding situations with the economy in particular, especially with unions for state workers. in this present state it is insane to be expecting pay increases with problems such as the budget deficit looming large, instead they should focus more on any misconduct for the imminent future. As such, I feel that yes the need for Labour unions is still there, but they could stand to be more aware of the situation they serve in
In my opinion, I think there is still a need for labor unions. But,agreeing with Sam, they need to coincide with the era that the world is now living in. It's undoubtedly true that after the Civil War, America was in desperate need of a strong labor force to re-establish the supplies which had been so extremely depleted throughout the war. But as America moved past the Civil War era, the labor union was not changing with the rest of the country. Workers were still being underpaid and overworked, not to mention being treated extremely unfairly. Over 100 years later, we Americans still seem to struggle treating people in the work force with equal rights. If workers in factories or in companies work extra time, they should be paid extra money. They should be provided with better equipment and a better space in which to do their work. The labor unions in America, and in the entire world, are what make the products that keep the world's population functioning and able to be so prosperous. The world definitely needs people to do the work of labor union workers, but what else the world needs is to treat those workers with the same amount of respect and rights that a person with any other job is entitled to. America needs labor unions, but America also needs to re-evaluate their decision making in regards to union workers country, and even world, wide.
In the post-civil war era, new technology was being created and the number of jobs needed started to decrease due to the fact that the machines started replacing the worker. The workers that still worked in these factories and other industrial places did not work in fancy offices like the people of today do. Their wages were decreasing and the worker conditions were getting worse. Not only the men and women had to work, the children also had to start taking jobs to support their families. These people had to work in dangerous conditions where they could get sick or hurt. The people had to work long hours that probably could have exhausted them to the point where once they were done, they could literally fall to the floor and sleep comfortably. The labor unions were created to improve their wages and working conditions. The labor unions did solve that problem at the time which led to how the working conditions are in the world today. The working conditions of today are not perfect yet though. They are better to how they were then but there are still factories like sweatshops where the workers conditions are still pretty bad. An example of this was presented in Colleen's presentation on sweatshops. Forever 21 is a store that still uses sweatshops and their sweatshops hold bad working conditions. Forever 21 had to go into remission for a bit because of it. There are still bad working conditions in the world today. In fact, the need for labor unions has not passed; labor unions are still needed in the world today.
Sources: Boorstin, Daniel J., and Brooks M. Kelley. A History of the United States. New York: Prentice Hall, Inc., 2002. Print.
During the Industrialization of the United States the need for labor unions reached its peak. In addition to horribly dangerous working conditions, there was child labor, little to no benefits, and people were being underpaid. The creation of labor unions were very important during the industrialization period because big factories and companies were only interested in productivity and profit, rather than safety and morals. Moving ahead to present day, labor unions are not necessary. There are new labor laws which have outlawed the kind of work environment that existed during the industrialization period. Currently, the labor unions are actually hurting our economy. In the public sector, labor unions have taken control, and have focused on their own selfish interests. In fact, these labor unions have even started to bankrupt cities and states due to their greed. The pension benefits, and other benefits the union workers want, are being financed by the tax payers. The union workers also give money to political officials as “campaign contributions” so that they can continue their profit unheeded. This is also a problem within the companies because the employers cannot tell the workers what to do. Thus they cannot run their company efficiently, causing them to fall behind the competition. In the private sector, only around 6 percent of the workforce is apart of a union. This low number causes the labor unions in the private sector to not really be a factor anymore, but they are still hindering a few companies. For Example, American Airlines has gone bankrupt due to the absurd requests made by labor unions. I feel that the labor unions have lost sight of why they were first created, and are no longer necessary in present day.
Unions have been instrumental in the development of America’s workforce, and by extension, the nation’s economy. These unions helped give a voice to the individual who was previously powerless against their employer. These large contingencies of workers were formed in order to find common ground between the workers and the employer. Things such as the amount of hours of work per week or day, minimum wage, child labor, and other rights that we may say as rudimentary in today's society were gradually conceded towards the worker thanks to the Union. However, in today’s society unions have veered away from their original intentions, and now fight for, in general, higher wages and better benefits. In today’s competitive workplace, unions are not necessary.
First off, as Michael Eastman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce states “Employers know they need to offer certain benefits and good wages to keep good workers.” This means that if a workplace wants to attract the best workers they can, they are going to have to offer a more attractive package (salary, workplace, benefits, management etc.) than their competitors. Whereas before during the gilded age, there were people who controlled incredible monopolies of a certain trade, like Rockefeller’s complete domination of oil in the United States, could force people to work for them how they wanted because their weren't other options or competitors. Unions then helped fight against these tyrant like bosses, and their work has done a great job securing rights that are now passed into law, in regards to child labor, worker rights, minimum wage and more. With these rights guaranteed, Unions aren’t needed.
Secondly, the proof that unions aren’t needed in modern day society can be seen around the United States. The New York Times reports that the percentage of unionized workers is at an all time low at 11.9%. The main reason for this as Barry T. Hirsh says, “Unionized companies obviously raise wages and benefits for their workers, and while they often raise productivity, typically they’re at a cost disadvantage, and unionized companies haven’t fared as well.” Unions are causing companies or governments to pay more, and they just aren’t able to compete in the modern economic climate. Another fear is that with a global economy, and the rapid growth of technology, the economy changes so swiftly that companies that have to go through unions for any changes, will not be able to adapt as quickly. For these reasons, unions aren’t necessary in today’s work force.
NY Times Article: http://www.parade.com/news/intelligence-report/archive/does-america-still-need-labor-unions.html
The overall disregard post civil war era companies had for their employees caused the rise of labor unions in America. At this time, company owners only cared about pleasing their company’s stockholders. Owners therefore manipulated workers to make factory outputs extremely high, while keeping marginal costs low. They were able to keep these costs so low by paying workers awfully low wages, making long hours with little to no breaks mandatory, and spending no money on safety precautions when building factories.
This process allowed owners to maximize their company’s profits, raise their company’s stock price, and please their company’s stockholders. These atrocious acts of disrespect and disregard for workers lead to the establishment of labor unions in the United States. In the post civil war era, the lack of legislation protecting the rights of workers in the US created the need for labor unions. However, in modern society labor unions have become irrelevant. This is due to the large amount of legislation that has been passed since the post civil war era, which ensures the safety and fair treatment of workers. For example, the National Labor Relations Act, passed by congress in 1935, protects the general welfare of workers by, “curtailing certain private sector labor and management practices” (nlrb.gov). Furthermore, minimum wage and child labor laws ensure that workers receive fair pay and that they are not forced to work at a premature age. Workers rights are now protected extensively by legislation, which is why there is no longer need for unions in America.
There is still a need for labor unions in the world today. Following the Civil War with all the new technology being built, the machines replaced workers, however, there was still a large need for workers because employees had to run the machinery and in large factories that could mean thousands of people. The difference of then and now is that they were not working in good working conditions, they were working long hours, and weren't even living in decent living conditions. This is what caused the labor unions to form. The labor unions were successful at getting the working conditions and living conditions up and this is the reason they are so nice today. However, there are still some companies who use sweatshops which endanger their workers by making them work long hours and in hazardous conditions. That being said, because of companies that use sweatshops, it is still necessary to have labor unions today in order to try and stop this and get better conditions in these places.
William Sylvis founded the Labor Union to help unite, and establish benefits for all workers. The need for the Labor Union was essential for the working conditions that workers were faced with after the Civil War. Factories were in desperate need for workers, and treated them unfairly for the benefit of their profit and development. Employees were forced to work long hours, take little pay, and work under hazardous conditions. Not only was it unfair for adult employees in factories, but also for children. This is just another reason why the Labor Union was so essential for the workers after war. Unions such as the Knights of Labor, and American Federation of Labor were very successful during that the time period. They help establish eight hour working days, safe working conditions, the end of child labor, and many more beneficial things for all employed workers. The conditions that workers faced during the Post Civil War are very different than the conditions that employees face today. However, the need for Labor Unions are still necessary. Many employees face “lay offs” today, and there needs to be representatives to help reduce the unemployment rate. With that being said, the Labor Union should not be doing what they have been doing today. Because of the Union, companies have been nearly bankrupt due to labor agreements and pension plans, as well affect the economy. This is not what William Sylvis wanted as a result of the Labor Union; he wanted to help workers. This is why I believe there is still a need for Labor Unions, but they should adjust the way they intervene with affairs to help benefit workers and the economy rather than hurt it.
In present day society, labor unions are still necessary but not nearly as relevant as the were in the post Civil War era. Following the Civil War came the Industrial Revolution. With the Industrial Revolution came many new factory jobs. These jobs were new to people and many workers jumped on the opportunity to work in the new factories. These workers were put in extremely dangerous, disgusting, and unfair conditions. These factory workers were in desperate need for labor unions to fight for their basic rights and treatment. However, nowadays, as a result of labor unions and modern technology, the amount of factory workers has vastly decreased and the working conditions have become much better. That doesn't mean that labor unions are unnecessary. There are still situations in present society such as sweatshops, which employ underage workers, where labor unions can be used to fight for workers basic rights and treatments. But, the need for labor unions had decreased and some labor unions can take their situations too far and end up hurting their workers. Labor unions are not as relevant as they were in the post Civil War era, however they are still necessary in present day society to fight for their workers safety and salaries.
The need for labor unions in the industrial era was absolutely necessary. Big companies could afford to shut down the factory or pay strikebreakers, while the workers still needed daily their daily income and could not afford to go without pay. “It became easier to think of labor as merely a commodity to be bought at the lowest possible cost. A big company with lots of money could afford to close its factory when times were bad and wait for conditions to improve”(Boorstin and Kelley 432). I do not believe labor unions are necessary in today’s world. We now have the United States Department of Labor that by law enforces: minimum wage, safety and health conditions, child labor protections, and many other workplace standards (www.dol.gov). Today, I believe that generally the right labor laws are in place enforced, deeming labor unions unnecessary. Sometimes labor unions can go to far in their efforts for benefits and higher wages for their fellow employees, hurting the company or employer and causing that company to not be able to compete in today’s economy.
After the Civil War, major advances in science and industry resulted in the Industrial Revolution. Major factories, stores, and assembly lines forced personnel to work 12-16 hour days, with women and children making up over half the work force. The time for skilled artisans was over. Along with these excruciatingly long days, workers earned meager compensation. Because of these problems, labor unions such at the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor began sprout around the country. They fought for shorter days, no child labor, and the share of wealth. Post-Civil War, the unions were needed to end the exploitation of these workers, but are they still needed in the 21st century? To protect the workers rights, yes they are needed. The problem with labor unions now is they are asking for to many benefits for their workers. This was evident in the fall of the Hostess Brand. The bakery union wanted more compensation for their workers, but Hostess could not provide this. In 2004, Hostess filed for bankruptcy, and now has a current debt of $860 million dollars. The baker union boss, Frank Hurt, knew that the strike of the Hostess workers would cause the demise of the brand stating, “Throughout this long and difficult process, BCTGM (Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union) members showed tremendous courage, solidarity and devotion to principle. They were well aware of the potential consequences of their actions but stood strong for dignity, justice and respect.” Knowingly the Union continued on with the strike and would not make an agreement with Hostess. In result, Hostess is out of business and 18,000 Hostess employees are out of work. The attempt to gain higher wages and stronger pensions, has now led the workers to be unemployed though the bakery union was fully aware this could have been the outcome. This shows us that unions need to tone down their demands, because now as an example, the 18,000 unemployed Hostess workers are without a job, and the American icon, the Twinkie, is no longer on store shelves (which may be a good thing).
Sources: Boorstin, Daniel J., and Brooks M. Kelley. A History of the United States. New York: Prentice Hall, Inc., 2002. Print.
"As Union Bosses Spin Twinkies’ Demise, Bakers’ Union Boss Admits Union Knew Hostess Would Die." As Union Bosses Spin Twinkies’ Demise, Bakers’ Union Boss Admits Union Knew Hostess Would Die. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
Hendrickson, Mark. "Shame On The Gluttonous Bakery Union Members, Blasted Twinkie Killers." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 22 Nov. 2012. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
Although times have changed, the human brain has not. Humans always strive for the best and most comfortable lifestyle. In today’s society, that greatly depends on wealth. People always try to find the fastest way to success. Often resulting in the of cutting corners and going to any means to achieve the most efficient results. This internal drive for success often blinds people to problems that don’t directly affect themselves. It is for this reason that I believe labor unions are still necessary in today’s society just like they were in the post civil war era. But, the main focuses of the labor unions of present day need to catch up to the new era in which we exist. In the post civil war era, there was a drastic increase for new and more products. The higher demand led to bigger companies with more massive goals of production and at a faster pace. To adjust to the new demands there was substantial change in the work force conditions. Younger people were put into dangerous jobs, people weren’t properly trained to operate certain machines, people worked longer hours with less breaks, wages were cut, working conditions were unclean and dangerous, and the power of the employer over the employee reached a dictator-like level. The oppressive conditions could not be maintained which led to employees teaming up together to fight back against their bosses. They formed the labor unions as a way to demand rights through a larger and louder voice. The labor unions successfully changed and improved working conditions. They developed a legal basis that companies must follow to ensure their employees are getting appropriate treatment and fair wages. In present day, there are very little problems and oppressive conditions, which might be a reason to delete the labor unions. But, I believe this is more of a reason to keep the labor unions. It was the labor unions that set the standard of how workplaces should operate. Removing these standards would allow companies to begin to cut corners and once again accumulate too much power and control in the wrong areas. Think about when teachers assign work and tell their students that it is not required to do the work. How many students will actually complete the work? When teachers give us work and say we must complete it for a grade, then most students will do the work. When we know that we will individually be effected we make sure that we complete the work. I believe that the presence of the labor unions will promise a standard for fair conditions.
"History of Labor Unions." History of Labor Unions. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
Labor unions were formed in order to protect workers as far as safety in the workplace and to ensure they received fair wages. They were successful in doing this and eventually wanted more. Labor unions were necessary during the time of the Industrial Revolution, but their time has passed and they have become superfluous to the safety of workers today. Along with the industrial revolution came the increase in demand as well as the increase in cutthroat competition between major corporations. In order to satisfy the desires of the consumers, businesses were forced to constantly reduce the prices of their products. They had to reconcile for this decrease in price by lowering the wages of workers. This resulted in young children, women, and men working very dangerous jobs for very low prices. Labor unions formed as a way to make sure children weren’t working in dangerous factories and workers were being treated fairly and the conditions were safe. Today, factory workers are protected by laws like minimum wage and receive benefits from their employers, yet they constantly ask for more. Labor unions have gone too far and have become unnecessary in present-day work places. However, Labor unions should still be in place to make sure factories do not turn back to sweatshops like the times of the Industrial Revolution.
Labor Unions in the United States originated because there was an influx of new jobs and technologies brought by the industrial revolution. After the Civil war, much of America need repair and thus many men and women were needed for these jobs. Simultaneously, the introduction of factories and mills meant millions of workers would be required nationally. Many of these new jobs proved unsafe or underpaid, but unfortunately people needed the money and were easily replaceable. Labor Unions came about to protect these people from unsafe working conditions, unfair wages, excess hours and any other mistreatment. Labor Unions became the legal representation for the workers that would fight for there well-being, making them extremely necessary at this time in our history. Today, In America, the need for these Labor Unions is much less prominent, yet still necessary. Although working conditions have greatly improved overall and there is a minimum wage, there are still workers across the nation whose rights are being violated by their bosses. Labor Unions must find a balance at which workers are fairly treated while businesses are still able to profit in this competitive global economy. If Unions push for excess worker benefits, they will force businesses to either go bankrupt or have the work done abroad at a cheaper rate; both of which would hurt the American economy and take away jobs. On the other hand, men in charge of these Labor Unions could be bought off by rich large business owners, thus becoming corrupt and failing to ensure that workers are properly treated. So if Labor Unions are able to find this balance and still help the workers of America, then the need for them is still important and has not passed.
After the Civil War, the U.S. experienced an Industrial Revolution that would change society forever. With this came the demand for jobs within the newly built factories. People took advantage of this opportunity, but did not understand what they were really signing up for. They were treated unfairly with absurd hours, little pay and dangerous working conditions. It became evident that labor unions were necessary and still are today. Although the working conditions, salary and working hours have gotten under control, there are still some flaws in the workplace such as underaged children working in sweatshops, and harassment. Equality is ideal in the workplace, but at some places equality is ignored and that is where labor unions are needed.
Industrialization rose out of the ruins of the American Civil War. As the work placed moved into cities, there was also a growing need to supply the surging amounts of workers gathered in a single work place. Cities were needed in order for this growing population to live close enough to walk to their places of work (since further technology such as Henry Ford's automobile had not yet been invented). Technology was also increasing in quality along with the number of workers. All this new technology was used to help ease the provision of food and supplies for the laborers. Mass transportation and communication systems such as the railroads and telegraph were invented and improved upon during the time of the American Industrial Revolution.
To answer the question at hand, no, the need for union labor has not decreased in the slightest. As the internet has developed into such a mainstream source of shopping, consumerism has become more popular than ever with the ability to click a mouse and buy whatever is wanted or needed at the time. Lord & Taylor, JC Penney, Nike, Macy's, Sears, Wal-Mart, and many other chain and name-brand stores have been found to rely on union labor. In order to keep up with the populous' demand for low-priced items. Take for example the Forever 21 manufacturing business located in Los Angeles, California. They have been in trouble with the law for poor work conditions multiple times in the past 12 years. As I discussed in my presentation, they were subpoenaed to to court as recently as October of 2012. Failing to keep up with their promises of better pay, cleaner facilities, and safer equipment, company owners are being blinded by the money to be made. With morality disregarded, sweatshops and other forms of mass labor are useful and provide merchandise at fair prices that allow all to afford them. They also open up careers for all people who are qualified, as well as stimulate the country's economy. As long as the need for cheap merchandise keeps at a steady rate, so does the need for union labor.
A History of the United States - Boorstin, Daniel J., Brooks Mather. Kelley, and Ruth Frankel. Boorstin. "Unit 4: A Nation Growing and Dividing." A History of the United States. Lexington, MA: Ginn, 1981. 249. Print.
DoSomething.org - "Background on Sweatshops." Do Something. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2013. http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/background-sweatshops.
The Huffington Post - Hines, Alice. "Forever 21 Under Investigation For Using 'Sweatshop-Like' Factories In Los Angeles." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 26 Oct. 2012. Web. 21 Jan. 2013. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/26/forever21-sweatshopinvestigation_n_2025390.html.
The need for labor unions certainly has not passed. Upon the formation, albeit unsuccessful, of the Knights of Labor after the Civil War in the late 1880s, many people realized the importance of protecting their rights as workers for the government. The Knights of Labor collapsed because of poor organization and lack of helpful leadership. In 1886, the American Federation of Labor was founded. It was made of many minor local unions. Its major goals were to coordinate and support strikes, and to participate in national politics, usually siding with the Democratic beliefs. The American Federation of Labor was founded on the simple American concept “united we stand.” During Franklin D. Roosevelt’s term as president, he passed the New Deal policies to protect labor Unions in the United States, particularly with the Wagner Act of 1935, which protected the right of unions to organize. The basic function of a Union today is to protect workers from corruption of their employers. My parents, for example, both work for the State of Connecticut and are part of the Administrative and Residual Employees Union, known as A&R. A&R gets my parents raises and makes sure that they get all of their paychecks, and they are being paid according to what they deserve. Often times, people are not paid what they deserve, especially people who are not in a union, like my aunt. My aunt is facing a problem with her private employer because they have withheld about five paychecks from her for unknown reasons, causing her to be behind on bills. If she were part of a union, then it would be ensured that she would get they money she had worked so hard for. Thus, the need for labor unions has not diminished since the post-Civil War era, because many people are just as corrupt and greedy as they were in the 19th century, if not more, and they should be protect and should feel safe that they are working hard for a reason. These hard workers should not have to worry about whether or not they would receive the money they worked so hard for, which is reinforced through labor unions.
After the civil war, as the Industrial Revolution began and factories began disseminating across the country, the need for labor unions was evident, just as it is today. Women and children, for the most part, worked long, arduous hours, got paid very little, and were treated like captives, as men began running and working in business. The unjust treatment that women and children received called for a need for change. People began to take a stand as they realized how unfairly they were being treated and how unsafe the work force was. Factories were not designed well, usually with only one exit, and when fires started workers could not get out fast enough to survive. The minimal amounts of pay they received for their onerous work was criminal, and employers looked at the use of child labor favorably. With the help of courageous people such as William Sylvis, the founder of the National Labor Union, labor unions were made to protect the working people. Groups like the American Federation of Labor allowed workers to have power and voice, changing the workplace for the better. Labor unions are still intact today; protecting workers from unfair treatment, ensuring that workers can only serve for a certain amount of hours, and enabling people secure jobs. Unions keep people from losing their occupation if their job goes under, and allows for wealth to be shared throughout business instead of going to a single person. They have allowed people to take a stand for what they believe in and attempt to change what they regard as being unjust. If labor unions were not in existence, the middle, working, class would endure the deleterious effects of complying with unfair treatment. Labor unions are still a necessity, but this being said, although unions have helped many, they should not be taken advantage of. Those who work hard deserve to be treated well, so the benefits of a union should not be used as a crutch for not doing work or not doing it well.
As America industrialized, more and more industries were created. As a result, the competition between these industries increased, which made pushed the focus of these industry towards profit rather than the good care of the workers, who were being paid a ridiculously small amount to work all day long and often in a dangerous environment. On top of this, children were commonly used as workers. In response to the new working conditions, labor unions were created in order to help ameliorate the workers' lives. Labor unions were also needed because it was the only way for workers to fight for their rights.
However, in today's society, in order to preserve the economy, labor unions should not exist. Although the conditions of workers are not great everywhere, labor unions now fight for higher wages rather than working conditions. Today, labor unions block the economy by organizing too many strikes and by always trying to higher the salaries of workers. Moreover, since the Post-Civil-War economy, many laws have been past in order to protect the worker from bad treatment. Consequently, labor unions are not needed anymore.
The industrial age and the flourishing growth as a result of it ,in the late 19th century affected most people in America. The work place was changing as machines became more prominent and the demand for unskilled workers shot up and brought a new range of people like immigrants and women into the work force. Their became an abundance of workers qualified for jobs operating new machinery in textile mills and factories which led to lower wages, because they were practically expendable. Most workers in factories worked ten or more hours a day with significantly less pay then minimum wage which, was necessary to support a decent life. In 1900, it was estimated that ten percent of Americans owned over three-fourths of the nations wealth. The conditions endured inside of the factories endured by laborers was brutal and took many tragic incidents to incite laws for the safety and well being of factory workers. In the 1842 case Commonwealth vs Hunt ruled that it was not illegal for workers to meet in groups or form a union. This was a great leap for the rights of factory workers. Twenty-four years later the first coalition of unions formed, The National Labor union. Many other unions proceeded to form after like the Knights of Labor and the American federation of labor. Labor unions fought for fewer hours in the work place and higher wages. A common practice to achieve their goals was going on strike until their goals were achieved. The struggle to unionize was key to overcome greedy corporations and protect rights of laborers. In my opinion labor unions are still necessary. They serve the same purpose as they were founded to do. CEO and executive wages continue to skyrocket while the middle class suffers from layoffs, unemployment and average salaries. Money hungry executives are always going to seek max net profit for themselves at the expense of their employees. The middle and lower class still need representation to fight for their fair treatment in the workplace and to avoid the workplace spiraling downwards to what it was in the 19th century.
"Commonwealth v. Hunt." The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
"Labor Unions." : The Concise Encyclopedia of Economics. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
During the Industrial Revolution, factories contained very crude and dangerous equipment. It was the beginning of the mass assembly line technique for manufacturing, so there were no regulations or guidelines for working conditions and safety. Big businesses employed large numbers of people to perform a single task over and over again. These workers were not looked after, and if someone wasn't able to show up or perform their task properly, they were disposed of immediately and someone else was hired to replace. The owners showed no compassion towards the workers. They wanted a job to be completed for the cheapest operating cost possible, which led to disregard for spending money on safety equipment or proper working conditions. The workers needed a way to gain power against their employers. This was achieved through labor unions. The masses of workers going on strike forced the employers to supply appropriate equipment and conditions for work. The employees would only work when their demands were met. This was certainly necessary at the time, but with laws and regulations that control working conditions and safety for employees today, labor unions are no longer necessary. Standards have been set by the government for working conditions and regulations. Labor unions don't serve any useful purpose anymore. They only demand more than what has already been deemed necessary for work. These unions are just a way for workers to get more from their employers.
During the Civil War era, American workers desperately needed the help of the labor unions. Because of the post-civil war era companies’ selfish attitudes, such as making workers run factory outputs extremely high, while not increasing workers’ payments, there was a need for the rise of the labor unions in the United States. The owners of companies were just trying to satisfy their stockholders so that they would not lose their support funds. Due to this unacceptable situation for the workers, they decided to organize the union and to fight against their owners. The U.S. government realized the importance of the workers in the factories and companies and tried to protect their rights; as Dylan already mentioned previously, the Congress passed the National Labor Relations Act in 1935 to protect the general welfare of workers. When we look back, the situation of the workforce has changed, mitigating the desperate need for labor unions, compared to the times before. Though the condition of the labor in these days needs more improvement, the situation for our society has definitely improved. Compared to previous conditions, workers are not treated as badly as the time when people needed the labor unions. In the present day, however, the labor unions actually create negative impact to our society. They just focus on their selfish interests, not considering their negative impacts. The unions are causing the companies to go bankrupt since the workers are out of their offices or factories in a long period of time. The labor unions are no longer needed in America. Yes, we still have cases of harassment and abuse in the work force, yet these occasions can still be fixed if the government works closely with the workers and hears their voices.
The need for Labor Unions in the United Sates has definitely not passed. However, due to the many labor laws passed since the Post-Civil War Era, the demonstrations posed by today’s labor unions should not be as severe as they used to be. During the Industrial Revolution, workers were not treated particularly well. They worked extremely long hours, and were paid hardly anything. Before laws banning Child Labor were passed, children as young as five years old worked in unsafe factories, and many of them got injured due to the dangerous machinery. During this era, there was an urgent need for a strong labor force to ensure proper treatment. These labor unions helped provide better working conditions and wages for employees. Although today’s working conditions have improved a great amount, they are still not perfect. Positive things like “Minimum Wage” have been created in order to ensure that employees get paid fairly, but like Jenalyn said, there are still companies using sweatshops in which have poor working conditions. Since we live in such an economically competitive country, it is imperative for employees of certain companies to come together in order to receive fair treatment. Even though the need for labor unions has gone down, it still exists.
The formation of labor unions came from the need to "protect the common interest of workers."The labor unions fought for the workers because of dangerous and unhealthy conditions of the factories that were constantly increasing in size to fill the growing demand of the consumer. During the Industrial Age businesses started to become corporations and because of this the space between and worker and his or her employer grew larger. The unions fought during the Industrial Age for better wages, humane working hours, safer working conditions and led the fight to stop child labor. The union workers also wanted health benefits and aid to be provided to those who were injured or retired. The AFL or american Federation of Labor came into being in 1886, it untied many of the unions together and is still very much alive today. In todays world the needs of the workers may have changed so therefore the goals of the unions may be slightly different but the unions central purpose continues to be advancing the economic and job interests of the union workers. It is this central purpose that keeps labor unions alive today. The labor union still provides the workforce with a voice which will always be needed.
As America became a more industrialized world, jobs were being put in place to help sustain it. Instead of working on their own farms, Americans were now working for bosses in large factories or building infrastructure. There were problems that arose in these work places regarding fairness and equality for the workers. So organizations were put in place to help fight these problems. For example, the garment cutters of Philadelphia organized Labor Unions such as the “Knights of Labor”. Their aim was to bring all workers together into a union in the hopes that they would get "a proper share of the wealth they create", more leisure time, and more of all the benefits of society.(433 Bornstin&Kelley). In 1884, when the railroads cut wages, they successfully won their fight for better wages. These kinds of jobs were new to the nation, so there were bound to be problems. Businesses had not yet developed a successful working process that would benefit and please all. However, the labor unions helped them to do so. We could go into great detail bout how everyone is still not pleased today in the work place, but looking at the bigger picture, the labor unions were successful. Today, for the most part, American workers are, treated equally (racially, etc.), given enough vacation and leisure time and have sufficient wages. Moreover, with the variations in businesses today, there is no need for a labor union. Unlike in history when the jobs were virtually similar in their labor, a lot of corporations and companies in America are different now. And so are the demands and needs of their workers. Actuaries could not be allowed nearly as much vacation time as a waiter at a restaurant could because they have more work to be done. Back then, all the jobs were reasonably the same, so it was easy for the workers to unite with a common goal. Today, it would be more difficult. Therefore the need for labor unions is unnecessary. If there is a prevailing problem within the company, then they should get together as a company and decide what they should do about it.
After the Civil War era, the rise of the industrial system in America was becoming a predominant factor in society. This came upon the Industrial era where most of the American people worked for the Robber Barons that controlled 95 % of America's wealth. This was a brutal job. Working in a factory was not an ideal job for an American searching to find their American dream. Factories were ver dangerous and crowded. The work conditions were never safe; there were no safety regulations during the start of the mass assembly line. Companies now employed large amounts of people. No longer were there small business owners that looked out for their long time employee, or friend. Most managers and owners did not know their employees name, even though they most likely housed them and their family. Companies made their workers work for long hours, almost no pay, in these humid factories under unsafe conditions. No worker would complain because if they were to, they most likely would be fired and be replaced in a heart beat. To avoid personal confrontation with employers, labor unions were formed to defend workers and to inflict upon the employers better pay, hours, and conditions for their employees. Labor unions would go on strike for one specific need, such as shorter hours, and the employees would not go to work until this was achieved. The employees would return to work when their demand was met. These strikes forced employers to abide by what the employees wished. This made more factories easy to work with. Work hours got shortened to 8 hours per day and safety conditions improved drastically. This was a necessity at the time. The American National Government now has laws pertaining to the safety of a workplace. There is a set minimum wage in America, and rules on working hours. The government now operates to protect the safety and rights of its people, so labor unions are not necessary and would serve no purpose. Labor Unions that do exist demand more from employers that is unnecessary. These employees are taking it to far, and are asking more than they are granted. These unions are unfit for society today. Toffolon
Before the Civil War started there were very few people involved in industries. Once the war ended, industries became more common and the work force tripled in size. This rapid growth was never seen before and needed attention and time in order to become beneficial for both owners and workers. When the industries first started unskilled workers were paid very little and working conditions were harsh. It was not uncommon for workers to become hurt on the job and then unemployed with nowhere to go for assistance. For problems like these, benefit societies were formed which only provided little support for workers in need. In 1869, the Knights of Labor was organized for any workers having any reform ideas, demands, or complaints about their working conditions. They wanted to regulated work hours, health and safety laws, and see an end of child labor through political action rather than worker strikes. Their ideals were great for the future of working conditions especially in a time where industries were taking advantage of their workers. The early going needed lots of opinions and ideas from both sides. However, this group almost became too powerful and unorganized. Unorganized strikes and riots showed that members were taking advantage of the group’s power, as shown during the Haymarket Square Riot in 1886. I believe that we still need labor unions in order to keep a good balance between large companies and the work force to maintain a positive future between them. There are still issues in large companies today that need the opinion from the work force regarding wages, working conditions and any benefits. However, their needs to be a balance that allows for arguments without leading to unnecessary strikes or conflict. Once a union becomes to powerful, the company could have no choice in an argument regardless of the issue. This could drive them into the ground and eventually affecting the economy. A balance needs to be in place that keeps both sides honest. -Thompson
I believe that there is still a need for labor unions. Times have drastically changed since the post-Civil War era. Then was when America needed a strong labor force to supply and replenish our country. Every person in the family worked. These workers worked not only to support themselves, but by extension the entire country. Labor Unions have always given a voice to the workers who were employed under a tyrannical employer. The conditions that they were working under were disgusting and unethical. Unethical in the sense that the conditions were so unfit that they were dangerous. One example of these sweatshops is the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory (1911) where 146 young immigrant women died because of a fire that started and the inability of being able to leave the building that they were entrapped in. This was not the only incident where the consequence of poor working environment ended in innocent casualties. Times have changed since then and there are now laws in place preventing another incident like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Labor Unions are still needed because even though work places have made vast improvements from the post-Civil War era there are still some unjust factories where workers are not treated well. With Labor Unions these workers can speak out and hopefully get these companies changed.
As the American economy grew during the post civil war era, the need for skilled workers decreased. Labor unions were the result of a great rise in technology; the development of bigger and more advanced factories and huge corporations. The workers that previously controlled their tools and were skilled in their work became people to turn on high tech machines to do their jobs for them. There was nothing pleasant about these factories, they were grim, dusty, and unhealthy. Surprisingly, many of the people working in them were women and children. This labor was intense, and factory owners strived to pay the workers as little as possible. Though labor unions had existed for a long time in places such as New York, Philadelphia, and other cities to protect worker's interests; now they were truly needed. In 1886, Sam Gomepers' project to bring the labor unions together was reorganized as the 'American Federation of Labor.' This group accumulated 1.75 million members. (Boorstin and Kelley, 434) This group revolted against this unfair and slave - like labor and was beneficial in many ways. It truly improved working conditions and wages for hard working people. Labor unions were import in that time period, and I believe them to be somewhat necessary today as well. Though in America we have the necessary laws in place for workers to be earning minimum wage and to be treated fairly in the workplace, there is still a need for labor unions. Many people working for large scale companies in factories are still mistreated, underpaid, and forced into child labor. This is absolutely unacceptable, and a reason for Labor Unions. People need to feel that their rights are secure and represented, and this is an important organization for that. Though the majority of people are treated fairly in this day and age, and don't feel that they need to be a part of a union, as Hannah said, Labor Unions set standards on how work place's should operate and should stay in place solely as a reminder of how to treat workers.
In a Capitalist society- a society in which one is only as successful as the cumulative worth of his assets- there will always be the incentive for a successful few to exploit the less-successful masses for monetary gain. Therefore, the need for labor unions will, and has always been, evident, especially since the rise of the Industrial Revolution. During the Post Civil War Era, as the sizes of factories increased, and greater numbers of businesses started converting into corporations, it became easier for factory and business owners to think of labor as simply an item to be bought at the lowest possible cost. This led to the depreciation of factory workers, a majority of which were women and children. And the influx of large numbers of immigrants during the 1840s and 1850s did nothing but increase the competition for jobs among workers and decrease the necessity for corporations to maintain proper working conditions within their factories. Thus workers were forced to work twelve to sixteen hour days in dangerous and poorly ventilated buildings. These conditions induced the rise of organized national unions, such as the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions in 1881, to improve their wages and working environments. The long-suffering struggle for higher wages, safer working conditions, and shorter hours eventually succeeded officially with the Wagner Act in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal”, which is still in effect today. Without the provisions made by these unions, working conditions in the United States would simply revert to their original, unhealthy state. So with that I say no, the need for labor unions has not passed, and as long as America remains a Capitalist society, the need will continue to exist.
There are several pros and cons to labor unions and their effects on businesses. They are meant to protect employees by making sure there are high enough wages and benefits. Although on paper the special protocols of the union would seem to help workers and the overall economy, it can often backfire because there are many cons to this system. Business owners, a large part of the economy, are discouraged by these regulations. It is costly and complicated to abide by them. Raised wages and benefits are expensive, and the restrictions on firing and hiring employees are complex. If business owners are discouraged, there is a decrease in job supply. This takes away from the economy and the entire country. The United States is in a fragile state right now, especially pertaining to the issue of job availability. The country has come a long way since labor unions were created. The economy and methods of businesses and factories have transformed for the better, therefor setting our country on a path to no longer needing the watching eye of labor unions anymore.
After the Civil War, the US becomes more technologically advanced and industrialized. As something that comes together with this progress, the needs for labor also increased. However, because of capitalist beliefs, factory owners tried to minimize the labor cost in order to gain as much profit as possible. As a result, the workers had to work for a ridiculously long period of time, but gained too little in return. This situation gave rise to the labor unions,including Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor, which were founded to protect workers' rights and ensure that they had fair wage and work time. Comparing to modern days, workers' conditions are improved a lot more as there are more and more policies passed to help workers, making the unions less needed. Furthermore, the nature of these unions have deviated over time. Despite the rights given to the workers today, the unions still try to gain more profit, putting a step beyond the purpose of these organizations. As a result, they hamper the US economy and thus should not be needed anymore.
The need for labor unions has hardly passed today, and will continue to help and support the workers in the nation. Since the industrial revolution during the post-civil war period, factories and cities gradually replaced farms. The expansion of manufacturing during the 19th century needed more and more labors. However, as the workers moved away from agriculture to the factories, they were treated very badly. Labors worked very long hours in an unsafe condition with low pay. Not only man or women, even children had to work in factories. As a result, unions were formed to fight for better wages, safer conditions and a equal treatment. Today, especially in a capitalist society, unions continue to serve the same purpose as when it was founded. Government has passed many laws to protect the rights of workers and the rates of unionization were declining in the past few decades, unions seems unnecessary. However, the government also passed The Employee Free Choice Act to boost the unionization rate. However, in a country founded by freedom and equality, we do not want to hear the voice only from the government, nor employer, nor the employee themselves. Labor Union negotiates on behalf of the whole working group for equality. Also, union provided the huge middle class which helped the economy. With unions, employers have to pay more for the workers and therefore increase the national wage. Workers are the core of a nation’s economy, just after the great economic depression, we need to put more money in the workers hand (similar to the idea of creating jobs). Therefore, we need labor unions.
During the post civil war era and during the industrialism period, there was an urgent need for labor unions. New industries, new economic systems, and new lifestyles that were unprecedented started to emerge in the American society. Cities were growing incredibly fast, and urbanization was hastened with industrialization. To meet the demands of growing population and new life style, factories started mass-production. And to produce goods immensely, workers were exploited in harsh ways. Factories forced workers to work more than 12 hours a day. In fact, these workers included not only included women but also children. Workers had nothing to do but just work in these conditions because they had no power to ask for what they wanted. Even though individual workers complained or asked for better working conditions to the employer, it did not bring any impact of change to the employer. The employer could have just fired the workers and hire new employees. However, with the labor unions, the unions helped the individual workers to voice their opinion to employers. Furthermore, the labor unions guaranteed the rights of workers with working hours per week, minimum wage, and certain working conditions. Labor unions are still necessary in present day. Companies and corporations are facilities that have the capability for providing workers or employees the wages. Furthermore these companies or corporations have the choice to pick out workers. Because of these reasons, the companies, abusing these strengths, can make the workers do whatever they want. To stop and regulate these abuses, labor unions are necessary in modern world. Even though there are labor departments and labor laws these days, there are still sweatshops and corporations that exploit workers by avoiding laws in shrewd ways. For instance, Forever 21 has been getting away with labor laws for a fair amount of time. For the betterment of working conditions and treatments, and for the powerless employees, who are under the control of companies, labor unions are necessary in present society.
Labor unions today are not as necessary as they were during the beginning of this industrialized society, but they are definitively still needed. During the industrial revolution, there were millions of job openings for unskilled workers, but as the industry progressed, many people lost their jobs because of the invention of machines that replaced people. They also worked in unbelievably dangerous in every possible aspect. During this time, labor unions were crucial for unskilled workers to survive in society. These unions could form strikes and other forms of rebellion in order to get what they deserve, thus helping out this working class. Today there are millions of workers that are still working long days in terrible conditions, therefore the need for labor unions is still afloat. It is not until every person is treated like they deserve and sweatshops are discontinued in modern society that the need for labor unions will fade away as well.
Labor unions grew greatly during the Post Civil War Era for the industrial systems. The factories in the cities required thousands of workers to produce the products and materials needed. Business’s of mass production grew into corporations because there were far more advantages in order for the businesses to become successful, such as limited liability. Owners believed that they could have labor workers for a cheap price. Labor workers were crammed into small cities with little resources and terrible work environments. They would have to work up to 16 hours a day. Due to the terrible conditions and treatment for the workers, labor unions formed together in the . Henry Blodget from Yahoo News writes “Unions came into being because company owners weren't sharing enough of their companies' wealth with the rank-and-file employees who helped produce it” (Blodget Yahoo). Labor unions are “associations of workers who are banded together for the purpose of improving their employment conditions and protecting themselves and their coworkers from economic and legal exploitation” National organized unions formulated and persuaded Congress to reduce the hours of their workday. Many employees in companies today are protesting for their wants and needs. Protestors that are arguing against unfair pay practices include employees at American Airlines, Wal-Mart, and fast food chains in New York City. The need for labor unions has certainly not passed in America; there is still a need for them in order to keep fair rules in the corporation world despite the laws and improvements from the post-civil war labor conditions. An individual in a work place does not have enough power to protect his or her rights or voice a strong opinion in conflict. Labor unions allow workers to come together and advocate for an individual as well as fight for what they all want together. Labor unions give a voice to the workers who feel the need for a change if something with their job is not fair, protect employees of their wages and benefits, and are beneficial for feedback in corporations.
Blodget, Henry. "Why We Need Labor Unions After All." Yahoo! Finance. N.p., Nov.-Dec. 2012. Web. 28 Jan. 2013.
After the Civil War, the American economy was transformed by numerous revolutionary inventions, as well as new scientific approaches to production techniques. This brought an end to the small, individual businesses and opened a new era of mass production. In order to economize time and maximize the productivity, industries start to bring forth new techniques of work that would transform the American way of working.Workers lose their individuality and became parts of a greater chain. Their working conditions gradually became harsher with long hours and minimal wages. This change brought the exploited workers together to form unions, fighting for their common interests. These unions were vital to the lives of the American workers, because they are the only legal tool for the workers to rebel against abusive bosses.
Nowadays, laws have been passed to protect the American workers. The working conditions are remarkably better. This brings forth the question of the necessity for Unions to exist. I personally believe that Unions are still an crucial to the lives of the workers. They are the sole reason for the positive progress of the workers' conditions, and they must stay as a reminder even if they do not need to actively protest against the ruling classes. For example, it is illegal to drive full speed through a crosswalk without pausing. People pause in front of crosswalks mostly because of the law. If the government were to remove this law, how can we be sure that drivers will continue giving the priority to the pedestrians? Driving through crosswalks do not harm drivers directly. In fact, it benefits the drivers by saving their time, and they might not think about the harm or inconvenience this will bring to the pedestrians crossing the street. The same logic can be applied to the Union. The Union is the law, protecting the workers who, like the pedestrians, are on a vulnerable spot, from the industries' owners, like the drivers, who are dominating and have the choice to care or not care about the lives of the others.
Because of this, I believe that Unions will always be needed as a protection to the workers' rights. Even if they are not active, their existence is already a crucial reminder to the masters that their power is limited, and therefore they cannot use their rights if they are violating the rights of their workers.
Labor Unions, established to create a voice for the labor force of firms, have been and still are a key to success for equality in the work place, while indirectly affecting positive economic growth. In 1886, the year the American Federation of Labor (AFL) was recognized, Samuel Gromper – the president – commenced the strong fight for labor unions to exist and be productive. Although, this wasn’t the starting point for unions, it signified the strong will for unions to exist. The AFL was so successful that by 1904 there was a jaw-dropping 1.75 million members. While the post civil war era had become the first battle ground for labor unions and sparked triumph, the actually victory did not come until around World War II. In today’s world, unions are trying to strive in society but are met with adversity such as the Republican Party. A “New York Times” article recently stated that the labor force in unions has decreased, unfortunately, and is now at a 97 year low. This sad statistic did not hurt William Sprigg’s, the A.F.L. – C.I.O.’s chief economist, feelings. The up-beat character said that he is not worried and but rather happy about other statics surrounding unions for example, memberships are up with Latinos and Asian Americans as well as some southern states. The confidence demonstrated by the chief economist is a clear indication that labor unions will survive and still benefit those of the work place. This article also mentioned an astonishing statistic correlated with the salaries differing between union and non – union members. In 2012, union members had average weekly earnings of $943 amounting to $49,000 annually meanwhile non-union members made only $742 weekly and $38,600 annually. This comparison shows that throughout unions’ history the fight for wages has come along way. Hersh, an author who recently wrote a persuasive article about the “Right – to – Work” Bill, stated that “preponderance of economic evidence… show(s) that unions foster high – productivity, high – profit firms.” Adam Hersh also wrote that unions help the middle class and, in turn, construct economic competitiveness. In all, Hersh clarified how unions promoted positive economic growth. Overall, unions have been a driving force in the Labor effort throughout history and although, nowadays, there is not a dire dependence on them, they still deserve to exist and benefit the select few who need their attention.
Work Cited Boorstin, Daniel J., Brooks Mather. Kelley, and Ruth Frankel. Boorstin. A History of the United States. Lexington, MA: Ginn, 2007. Print. Greenhouse, Steven. "Union Membership Drops Despite Job Growth." The New York Times. N.p., 24 Jan. 2013. Web. 27 Jan. 2013. Hersh, Adam. "Michigan "€˜Right-to-Work" Bill Is the Wrong Economics for the Middle Class." Www.americanprogress.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
The need for labor unions has not yet passed however change is needed in some instances. When industrialism was first on the rise, hard hours and unsafe work conditions with unfair pay were common. Labor unions exist for the purpose of protecting workers from unsafe work environments and prevents exploitation. Which made sense at the time, and still do. While modern unions still ensure safe work environments and respectful hours, there is a larger focus on "fair wages for the work produced." Safe work conditions are still needed, however; the need for them in our modern society can be reflected in a statistic taken by the Library of Economics and Liberty. According to the Library of Economics and Liberty, "the private sector had peaked in 1970 with 17 million members. That number had dwindled to 8.8 million by 2002." This shows the decreasing number of union members in the private sector. On the other hand, it is estimated that the public sector will house the majority of unionized workers in the near future. There are however disadvantages to labor unions, like a lack of competitiveness between companies because of the increase of cost of the product due to the increased wages of unionized workers. From a consumer standpoint, the cheaper price looks better, which may come from a company with un-unionied workers. But I'd rather pay more for a product knowing it came from a company that ensures safe work conditions and well paid workers rather than companies that use sweat shops.
-Schiffer
Sources: Lanclos, Jesse. "Disadvantages of Labor Unions." EHow. Demand Media, 22 Aug. 2009. Web. 28 Jan. 2013. BryanSpear. "The Purpose of Labor Unions." EHow. Demand Media, 05 May 2010. Web. 28 Jan. 2013.
Following the Civil War, America became an industrialized nation. We moved from a agrarian culture to an industrialized nation because America wanted more wealth and power. By industrializing our workforce, the US could produce more goods for sale at a much faster pace. With Industrialization comes the need for people to work at the factories and help produce these goods at a much more rapid rate. Industrialization opened up millions of jobs for Americans after the Civil War. Many people at this time needed jobs and would work in an conditions to provide for their families. Some factories provided unsafe conditions for their workers or unfair pay, thus labor unions were created. Labor Unions protected the rights of the workers in these factories, and in my opinion are NOT needed today. Although labor unions gave the workers of the factories a voice, it also gave them too much power and decreased the competitiveness of workers in these factories. Even in the current industrial world many people cannot be hired at factories unless they are part of these labor unions, therefore lowering the chance for people to obtain jobs. Unions also try to protect the workers, which i feel is unnecessary because if you are going to be working at a factory and don't like the conditions or pay; quit. Their are people that need the money and will work more efficiently for less money that the Factories could hire, but the labor unions prevent this from happening. Lastly, the Labor Unions are the ones to blame for the shortage of jobs in the US today because many large corporations have exported their factory jobs overseas where they can hire workers for less money and less regulations. -Fortenbaugh
By definition, a labor union is: "An organized association of workers, often in a trade or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests." After the Civil War era, these labor unions reached their peak. Workers risked their jobs in attempt to improve their lives. A new warfare had begun - instead of military battlegrounds between the North and the South, there were industrial battles between the employers and the employees. These unions formed in effort to increase their wages, decrease their hours, better their working conditions, have more independence, and protect their interests. All of these motives are justifiable, they had a right to rebel.
On the other hand, labor unions are no longer necessary. Although working conditions still aren't perfect, they are considerably better than in the 1890s, thanks to the labor unions back then. The reasons have changed, the conditions in the 1890s are obviously not the same as now. Instead of fighting for better hours, better wages, and better conditions, most labor unions now are almost trying to take advantage by demanding better benefits. In addition, there are also many laws and regulations regarding employment conditions, such as wages and hours worked, safety and health standards, retirement standards, and many more. Workers still have the right to be treated well and that is why they are protected by the law and why labor unions are at an all time low.
Post-civil war era labor continued to increase as a result of the industrial revolution. Factory production was on the rise, but the treatment of workers was not. Colleen’s term paper topic is a great example of this. The triangle shirt waist company locked a bunch of women and children in a room, and when a fire started they were forced to jump out a window to their death. Workers in this time period were constantly battling with their employers for higher wages, short hours, working conditions and even a different schedule. The Knights of Labor was a major tried a variety of ways to solve their problems. They brought all workers in one big union, to give ‘a proper share of the wealth they create’. The Knights also wanted eight-hour days, and opposed child labor. (Boorstin & Kelley) They eventually fell apart because of their public opinion. Labor unions were meant to protect the people and give them what they want and or needed. In modern America there are few laborious jobs, but just because the number has decreased, does not mean that the need for labor union has passed. There are still professions in America that depend on their Labor Unions. For example with the 2008 recession, many unions such as the American Federation of Teachers fought for their members to keep their jobs. This union fights for the rights of any person who works in the Education department. Without Labor Unions a large group of similar people would not have a voice. If something affects the union as a whole, you are more likely to get publicity and people on your side than a single person or a couple of individual people. Labor Unions will be a necessity of American Society as long as there is a working class. Yes, working conditions, salary, weekly hours, and even vacation time, are accomplishments of the results of Labor Unions, but just because we have made it this far does not mean these unions should cease to exist. We live in a dynamic world, everything is constantly changing, Labor Unions protect their people for changes that can and will affect them in negative ways. To sustain the working class, Labor Unions must exist.
Sources: Boorstin, Daniel J., and Brooks M. Kelley. A History of the United States. New York: Prentice Hall, Inc., 2002. Print.
During the industrial revolution a transition occurred from a dominatingly agricultural society to one centralized around factories and manufacturing industries. These factories more often than not had horrible conditions and the women and children employed there received a significantly lower pay than the men. There were many other injustices in the work place that went unnoticed by the government. These mistreated workers were trapped, not wanting to give up their only means of income. But as conditions dramatically worsened and pay became scarce, there was a desperate need for someone to protect the rights of these mistreated citizens. Eventually groups began to ban together against their employers with hopes that they would be recognized; ultimately beginning the earliest labor unions in America. The most noted of the early labor unions was the United Mine Workers of America which was created in 1890 but there were many other independent groups who were a part of the American Federations of Labor founded in 1886. This federation dealt with the inequalities and injustices in the work place. As labor unions gained more dominancy many positive changes were accomplished such as limiting the hours in a workday and enforcing a minimum wage. Although conditions have obviously drastically improved from the industrial revolution era, I believe there is still a need for labor unions to exist in the work place today. Many major corporations that hire thousands of employs may ignore some of their workers individual efforts. This is were labor unions step in and ensure that everyone is treated equally. They ensure that companies for example do not give people promotions because of bribery or seniority but because they deserve the position. Very rarely today in America is racism an problem but that is not to say that in some work places racism is not an issue, Unions stand ready to back employees no matter their skin color or sex. Although the need for unions is not at dire need it once was there it is still important for them to exist and continue to maintain equality in the American work place.
Malek, Joseph. "History of Labor Unions in the United States." Helium. Helium, 01 Mar. 2007. Web. 28 Jan. 2013.
In my opinion, the need for Labour unions has certainly not passed. However I do feel they need to change to match the times we live in.
ReplyDeleteAt this present time, workers in the United States are not treated as poorly and unfairly as was the case when Labour unions first came into prominence, but that does not mean they are any less important. Still today there are many cases of harassment and bullying that can occur in the workplace, without a union there to help the worker then the problem would get worse.
In addition to this I think you must mention the point that Mr Gulotta made a few months ago about his time in Baltimore as a cop, the story was about a shop that kept getting robbed, but never while he was there because people were scared of the cops, this same analogy can be placed on unions, without them, many greedy employers would revert back to an unfair work environment.
On the flip side to this I do feel there needs to be a greater awareness from the unions regarding situations with the economy in particular, especially with unions for state workers. in this present state it is insane to be expecting pay increases with problems such as the budget deficit looming large, instead they should focus more on any misconduct for the imminent future. As such, I feel that yes the need for Labour unions is still there, but they could stand to be more aware of the situation they serve in
In my opinion, I think there is still a need for labor unions. But,agreeing with Sam, they need to coincide with the era that the world is now living in. It's undoubtedly true that after the Civil War, America was in desperate need of a strong labor force to re-establish the supplies which had been so extremely depleted throughout the war. But as America moved past the Civil War era, the labor union was not changing with the rest of the country. Workers were still being underpaid and overworked, not to mention being treated extremely unfairly. Over 100 years later, we Americans still seem to struggle treating people in the work force with equal rights. If workers in factories or in companies work extra time, they should be paid extra money. They should be provided with better equipment and a better space in which to do their work. The labor unions in America, and in the entire world, are what make the products that keep the world's population functioning and able to be so prosperous. The world definitely needs people to do the work of labor union workers, but what else the world needs is to treat those workers with the same amount of respect and rights that a person with any other job is entitled to. America needs labor unions, but America also needs to re-evaluate their decision making in regards to union workers country, and even world, wide.
ReplyDeleteIn the post-civil war era, new technology was being created and the number of jobs needed started to decrease due to the fact that the machines started replacing the worker. The workers that still worked in these factories and other industrial places did not work in fancy offices like the people of today do. Their wages were decreasing and the worker conditions were getting worse. Not only the men and women had to work, the children also had to start taking jobs to support their families. These people had to work in dangerous conditions where they could get sick or hurt. The people had to work long hours that probably could have exhausted them to the point where once they were done, they could literally fall to the floor and sleep comfortably. The labor unions were created to improve their wages and working conditions. The labor unions did solve that problem at the time which led to how the working conditions are in the world today. The working conditions of today are not perfect yet though. They are better to how they were then but there are still factories like sweatshops where the workers conditions are still pretty bad. An example of this was presented in Colleen's presentation on sweatshops. Forever 21 is a store that still uses sweatshops and their sweatshops hold bad working conditions. Forever 21 had to go into remission for a bit because of it. There are still bad working conditions in the world today. In fact, the need for labor unions has not passed; labor unions are still needed in the world today.
ReplyDeleteSources: Boorstin, Daniel J., and Brooks M. Kelley. A History of the United States. New York: Prentice Hall, Inc., 2002. Print.
During the Industrialization of the United States the need for labor unions reached its peak. In addition to horribly dangerous working conditions, there was child labor, little to no benefits, and people were being underpaid. The creation of labor unions were very important during the industrialization period because big factories and companies were only interested in productivity and profit, rather than safety and morals. Moving ahead to present day, labor unions are not necessary. There are new labor laws which have outlawed the kind of work environment that existed during the industrialization period. Currently, the labor unions are actually hurting our economy. In the public sector, labor unions have taken control, and have focused on their own selfish interests. In fact, these labor unions have even started to bankrupt cities and states due to their greed. The pension benefits, and other benefits the union workers want, are being financed by the tax payers. The union workers also give money to political officials as “campaign contributions” so that they can continue their profit unheeded. This is also a problem within the companies because the employers cannot tell the workers what to do. Thus they cannot run their company efficiently, causing them to fall behind the competition. In the private sector, only around 6 percent of the workforce is apart of a union. This low number causes the labor unions in the private sector to not really be a factor anymore, but they are still hindering a few companies. For Example, American Airlines has gone bankrupt due to the absurd requests made by labor unions. I feel that the labor unions have lost sight of why they were first created, and are no longer necessary in present day.
ReplyDelete-Austin Brandt
Unions have been instrumental in the development of America’s workforce, and by extension, the nation’s economy. These unions helped give a voice to the individual who was previously powerless against their employer. These large contingencies of workers were formed in order to find common ground between the workers and the employer. Things such as the amount of hours of work per week or day, minimum wage, child labor, and other rights that we may say as rudimentary in today's society were gradually conceded towards the worker thanks to the Union. However, in today’s society unions have veered away from their original intentions, and now fight for, in general, higher wages and better benefits. In today’s competitive workplace, unions are not necessary.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, as Michael Eastman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce states “Employers know they need to offer certain benefits and good wages to keep good workers.” This means that if a workplace wants to attract the best workers they can, they are going to have to offer a more attractive package (salary, workplace, benefits, management etc.) than their competitors. Whereas before during the gilded age, there were people who controlled incredible monopolies of a certain trade, like Rockefeller’s complete domination of oil in the United States, could force people to work for them how they wanted because their weren't other options or competitors. Unions then helped fight against these tyrant like bosses, and their work has done a great job securing rights that are now passed into law, in regards to child labor, worker rights, minimum wage and more. With these rights guaranteed, Unions aren’t needed.
Secondly, the proof that unions aren’t needed in modern day society can be seen around the United States. The New York Times reports that the percentage of unionized workers is at an all time low at 11.9%. The main reason for this as Barry T. Hirsh says, “Unionized companies obviously raise wages and benefits for their workers, and while they often raise productivity, typically they’re at a cost disadvantage, and unionized companies haven’t fared as well.” Unions are causing companies or governments to pay more, and they just aren’t able to compete in the modern economic climate. Another fear is that with a global economy, and the rapid growth of technology, the economy changes so swiftly that companies that have to go through unions for any changes, will not be able to adapt as quickly. For these reasons, unions aren’t necessary in today’s work force.
NY Times Article:
http://www.parade.com/news/intelligence-report/archive/does-america-still-need-labor-unions.html
The overall disregard post civil war era companies had for their employees caused the rise of labor unions in America. At this time, company owners only cared about pleasing their company’s stockholders. Owners therefore manipulated workers to make factory outputs extremely high, while keeping marginal costs low. They were able to keep these costs so low by paying workers awfully low wages, making long hours with little to no breaks mandatory, and spending no money on safety precautions when building factories.
ReplyDeleteThis process allowed owners to maximize their company’s profits, raise their company’s stock price, and please their company’s stockholders. These atrocious acts of disrespect and disregard for workers lead to the establishment of labor unions in the United States.
In the post civil war era, the lack of legislation protecting the rights of workers in the US created the need for labor unions. However, in modern society labor unions have become irrelevant. This is due to the large amount of legislation that has been passed since the post civil war era, which ensures the safety and fair treatment of workers. For example, the National Labor Relations Act, passed by congress in 1935, protects the general welfare of workers by, “curtailing certain private sector labor and management practices” (nlrb.gov). Furthermore, minimum wage and child labor laws ensure that workers receive fair pay and that they are not forced to work at a premature age. Workers rights are now protected extensively by legislation, which is why there is no longer need for unions in America.
"National Labor Relations Act." NLRB. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
-Dylan O'Connor
There is still a need for labor unions in the world today. Following the Civil War with all the new technology being built, the machines replaced workers, however, there was still a large need for workers because employees had to run the machinery and in large factories that could mean thousands of people. The difference of then and now is that they were not working in good working conditions, they were working long hours, and weren't even living in decent living conditions. This is what caused the labor unions to form. The labor unions were successful at getting the working conditions and living conditions up and this is the reason they are so nice today. However, there are still some companies who use sweatshops which endanger their workers by making them work long hours and in hazardous conditions. That being said, because of companies that use sweatshops, it is still necessary to have labor unions today in order to try and stop this and get better conditions in these places.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Sylvis founded the Labor Union to help unite, and establish benefits for all workers. The need for the Labor Union was essential for the working conditions that workers were faced with after the Civil War. Factories were in desperate need for workers, and treated them unfairly for the benefit of their profit and development. Employees were forced to work long hours, take little pay, and work under hazardous conditions. Not only was it unfair for adult employees in factories, but also for children. This is just another reason why the Labor Union was so essential for the workers after war. Unions such as the Knights of Labor, and American Federation of Labor were very successful during that the time period. They help establish eight hour working days, safe working conditions, the end of child labor, and many more beneficial things for all employed workers. The conditions that workers faced during the Post Civil War are very different than the conditions that employees face today. However, the need for Labor Unions are still necessary. Many employees face “lay offs” today, and there needs to be representatives to help reduce the unemployment rate. With that being said, the Labor Union should not be doing what they have been doing today. Because of the Union, companies have been nearly bankrupt due to labor agreements and pension plans, as well affect the economy. This is not what William Sylvis wanted as a result of the Labor Union; he wanted to help workers. This is why I believe there is still a need for Labor Unions, but they should adjust the way they intervene with affairs to help benefit workers and the economy rather than hurt it.
ReplyDeleteIsiah Nunez
In present day society, labor unions are still necessary but not nearly as relevant as the were in the post Civil War era. Following the Civil War came the Industrial Revolution. With the Industrial Revolution came many new factory jobs. These jobs were new to people and many workers jumped on the opportunity to work in the new factories. These workers were put in extremely dangerous, disgusting, and unfair conditions. These factory workers were in desperate need for labor unions to fight for their basic rights and treatment. However, nowadays, as a result of labor unions and modern technology, the amount of factory workers has vastly decreased and the working conditions have become much better. That doesn't mean that labor unions are unnecessary. There are still situations in present society such as sweatshops, which employ underage workers, where labor unions can be used to fight for workers basic rights and treatments. But, the need for labor unions had decreased and some labor unions can take their situations too far and end up hurting their workers. Labor unions are not as relevant as they were in the post Civil War era, however they are still necessary in present day society to fight for their workers safety and salaries.
ReplyDeleteThe need for labor unions in the industrial era was absolutely necessary. Big companies could afford to shut down the factory or pay strikebreakers, while the workers still needed daily their daily income and could not afford to go without pay. “It became easier to think of labor as merely a commodity to be bought at the lowest possible cost. A big company with lots of money could afford to close its factory when times were bad and wait for conditions to improve”(Boorstin and Kelley 432). I do not believe labor unions are necessary in today’s world. We now have the United States Department of Labor that by law enforces: minimum wage, safety and health conditions, child labor protections, and many other workplace standards (www.dol.gov). Today, I believe that generally the right labor laws are in place enforced, deeming labor unions unnecessary. Sometimes labor unions can go to far in their efforts for benefits and higher wages for their fellow employees, hurting the company or employer and causing that company to not be able to compete in today’s economy.
ReplyDeleteTipper Higgins
After the Civil War, major advances in science and industry resulted in the Industrial Revolution. Major factories, stores, and assembly lines forced personnel to work 12-16 hour days, with women and children making up over half the work force. The time for skilled artisans was over. Along with these excruciatingly long days, workers earned meager compensation. Because of these problems, labor unions such at the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor began sprout around the country. They fought for shorter days, no child labor, and the share of wealth. Post-Civil War, the unions were needed to end the exploitation of these workers, but are they still needed in the 21st century? To protect the workers rights, yes they are needed. The problem with labor unions now is they are asking for to many benefits for their workers. This was evident in the fall of the Hostess Brand. The bakery union wanted more compensation for their workers, but Hostess could not provide this. In 2004, Hostess filed for bankruptcy, and now has a current debt of $860 million dollars. The baker union boss, Frank Hurt, knew that the strike of the Hostess workers would cause the demise of the brand stating, “Throughout this long and difficult process, BCTGM (Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union) members showed tremendous courage, solidarity and devotion to principle. They were well aware of the potential consequences of their actions but stood strong for dignity, justice and respect.” Knowingly the Union continued on with the strike and would not make an agreement with Hostess. In result, Hostess is out of business and 18,000 Hostess employees are out of work. The attempt to gain higher wages and stronger pensions, has now led the workers to be unemployed though the bakery union was fully aware this could have been the outcome. This shows us that unions need to tone down their demands, because now as an example, the 18,000 unemployed Hostess workers are without a job, and the American icon, the Twinkie, is no longer on store shelves (which may be a good thing).
ReplyDeleteSources:
Boorstin, Daniel J., and Brooks M. Kelley. A History of the United States. New York: Prentice Hall, Inc., 2002. Print.
"As Union Bosses Spin Twinkies’ Demise, Bakers’ Union Boss Admits Union Knew Hostess Would Die." As Union Bosses Spin Twinkies’ Demise, Bakers’ Union Boss Admits Union Knew Hostess Would Die. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
Hendrickson, Mark. "Shame On The Gluttonous Bakery Union Members, Blasted Twinkie Killers." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 22 Nov. 2012. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
great job
DeleteAlthough times have changed, the human brain has not. Humans always strive for the best and most comfortable lifestyle. In today’s society, that greatly depends on wealth. People always try to find the fastest way to success. Often resulting in the of cutting corners and going to any means to achieve the most efficient results. This internal drive for success often blinds people to problems that don’t directly affect themselves. It is for this reason that I believe labor unions are still necessary in today’s society just like they were in the post civil war era. But, the main focuses of the labor unions of present day need to catch up to the new era in which we exist. In the post civil war era, there was a drastic increase for new and more products. The higher demand led to bigger companies with more massive goals of production and at a faster pace. To adjust to the new demands there was substantial change in the work force conditions. Younger people were put into dangerous jobs, people weren’t properly trained to operate certain machines, people worked longer hours with less breaks, wages were cut, working conditions were unclean and dangerous, and the power of the employer over the employee reached a dictator-like level. The oppressive conditions could not be maintained which led to employees teaming up together to fight back against their bosses. They formed the labor unions as a way to demand rights through a larger and louder voice. The labor unions successfully changed and improved working conditions. They developed a legal basis that companies must follow to ensure their employees are getting appropriate treatment and fair wages. In present day, there are very little problems and oppressive conditions, which might be a reason to delete the labor unions. But, I believe this is more of a reason to keep the labor unions. It was the labor unions that set the standard of how workplaces should operate. Removing these standards would allow companies to begin to cut corners and once again accumulate too much power and control in the wrong areas. Think about when teachers assign work and tell their students that it is not required to do the work. How many students will actually complete the work? When teachers give us work and say we must complete it for a grade, then most students will do the work. When we know that we will individually be effected we make sure that we complete the work. I believe that the presence of the labor unions will promise a standard for fair conditions.
ReplyDelete"History of Labor Unions." History of Labor Unions. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
Hannah Cooke
Labor unions were formed in order to protect workers as far as safety in the workplace and to ensure they received fair wages. They were successful in doing this and eventually wanted more. Labor unions were necessary during the time of the Industrial Revolution, but their time has passed and they have become superfluous to the safety of workers today. Along with the industrial revolution came the increase in demand as well as the increase in cutthroat competition between major corporations. In order to satisfy the desires of the consumers, businesses were forced to constantly reduce the prices of their products. They had to reconcile for this decrease in price by lowering the wages of workers. This resulted in young children, women, and men working very dangerous jobs for very low prices. Labor unions formed as a way to make sure children weren’t working in dangerous factories and workers were being treated fairly and the conditions were safe. Today, factory workers are protected by laws like minimum wage and receive benefits from their employers, yet they constantly ask for more. Labor unions have gone too far and have become unnecessary in present-day work places. However, Labor unions should still be in place to make sure factories do not turn back to sweatshops like the times of the Industrial Revolution.
ReplyDeleteLabor Unions in the United States originated because there was an influx of new jobs and technologies brought by the industrial revolution. After the Civil war, much of America need repair and thus many men and women were needed for these jobs. Simultaneously, the introduction of factories and mills meant millions of workers would be required nationally. Many of these new jobs proved unsafe or underpaid, but unfortunately people needed the money and were easily replaceable. Labor Unions came about to protect these people from unsafe working conditions, unfair wages, excess hours and any other mistreatment. Labor Unions became the legal representation for the workers that would fight for there well-being, making them extremely necessary at this time in our history. Today, In America, the need for these Labor Unions is much less prominent, yet still necessary. Although working conditions have greatly improved overall and there is a minimum wage, there are still workers across the nation whose rights are being violated by their bosses. Labor Unions must find a balance at which workers are fairly treated while businesses are still able to profit in this competitive global economy. If Unions push for excess worker benefits, they will force businesses to either go bankrupt or have the work done abroad at a cheaper rate; both of which would hurt the American economy and take away jobs. On the other hand, men in charge of these Labor Unions could be bought off by rich large business owners, thus becoming corrupt and failing to ensure that workers are properly treated. So if Labor Unions are able to find this balance and still help the workers of America, then the need for them is still important and has not passed.
ReplyDeleteAfter the Civil War, the U.S. experienced an Industrial Revolution that would change society forever. With this came the demand for jobs within the newly built factories. People took advantage of this opportunity, but did not understand what they were really signing up for. They were treated unfairly with absurd hours, little pay and dangerous working conditions. It became evident that labor unions were necessary and still are today. Although the working conditions, salary and working hours have gotten under control, there are still some flaws in the workplace such as underaged children working in sweatshops, and harassment. Equality is ideal in the workplace, but at some places equality is ignored and that is where labor unions are needed.
ReplyDeleteIndustrialization rose out of the ruins of the American Civil War. As the work placed moved into cities, there was also a growing need to supply the surging amounts of workers gathered in a single work place. Cities were needed in order for this growing population to live close enough to walk to their places of work (since further technology such as Henry Ford's automobile had not yet been invented). Technology was also increasing in quality along with the number of workers. All this new technology was used to help ease the provision of food and supplies for the laborers. Mass transportation and communication systems such as the railroads and telegraph were invented and improved upon during the time of the American Industrial Revolution.
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question at hand, no, the need for union labor has not decreased in the slightest. As the internet has developed into such a mainstream source of shopping, consumerism has become more popular than ever with the ability to click a mouse and buy whatever is wanted or needed at the time. Lord & Taylor, JC Penney, Nike, Macy's, Sears, Wal-Mart, and many other chain and name-brand stores have been found to rely on union labor. In order to keep up with the populous' demand for low-priced items. Take for example the Forever 21 manufacturing business located in Los Angeles, California. They have been in trouble with the law for poor work conditions multiple times in the past 12 years. As I discussed in my presentation, they were subpoenaed to to court as recently as October of 2012. Failing to keep up with their promises of better pay, cleaner facilities, and safer equipment, company owners are being blinded by the money to be made. With morality disregarded, sweatshops and other forms of mass labor are useful and provide merchandise at fair prices that allow all to afford them. They also open up careers for all people who are qualified, as well as stimulate the country's economy. As long as the need for cheap merchandise keeps at a steady rate, so does the need for union labor.
Sources:
DeleteA History of the United States - Boorstin, Daniel J., Brooks Mather. Kelley, and Ruth Frankel. Boorstin. "Unit 4: A Nation Growing and Dividing." A History of the United States. Lexington, MA: Ginn, 1981. 249. Print.
DoSomething.org - "Background on Sweatshops." Do Something. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2013. http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/background-sweatshops.
The Huffington Post - Hines, Alice. "Forever 21 Under Investigation For Using 'Sweatshop-Like' Factories In Los Angeles." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 26 Oct. 2012. Web. 21 Jan. 2013. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/26/forever21-sweatshopinvestigation_n_2025390.html.
The need for labor unions certainly has not passed. Upon the formation, albeit unsuccessful, of the Knights of Labor after the Civil War in the late 1880s, many people realized the importance of protecting their rights as workers for the government. The Knights of Labor collapsed because of poor organization and lack of helpful leadership. In 1886, the American Federation of Labor was founded. It was made of many minor local unions. Its major goals were to coordinate and support strikes, and to participate in national politics, usually siding with the Democratic beliefs. The American Federation of Labor was founded on the simple American concept “united we stand.” During Franklin D. Roosevelt’s term as president, he passed the New Deal policies to protect labor Unions in the United States, particularly with the Wagner Act of 1935, which protected the right of unions to organize. The basic function of a Union today is to protect workers from corruption of their employers. My parents, for example, both work for the State of Connecticut and are part of the Administrative and Residual Employees Union, known as A&R. A&R gets my parents raises and makes sure that they get all of their paychecks, and they are being paid according to what they deserve. Often times, people are not paid what they deserve, especially people who are not in a union, like my aunt. My aunt is facing a problem with her private employer because they have withheld about five paychecks from her for unknown reasons, causing her to be behind on bills. If she were part of a union, then it would be ensured that she would get they money she had worked so hard for. Thus, the need for labor unions has not diminished since the post-Civil War era, because many people are just as corrupt and greedy as they were in the 19th century, if not more, and they should be protect and should feel safe that they are working hard for a reason. These hard workers should not have to worry about whether or not they would receive the money they worked so hard for, which is reinforced through labor unions.
ReplyDeleteSingh
After the civil war, as the Industrial Revolution began and factories began disseminating across the country, the need for labor unions was evident, just as it is today. Women and children, for the most part, worked long, arduous hours, got paid very little, and were treated like captives, as men began running and working in business. The unjust treatment that women and children received called for a need for change. People began to take a stand as they realized how unfairly they were being treated and how unsafe the work force was. Factories were not designed well, usually with only one exit, and when fires started workers could not get out fast enough to survive. The minimal amounts of pay they received for their onerous work was criminal, and employers looked at the use of child labor favorably. With the help of courageous people such as William Sylvis, the founder of the National Labor Union, labor unions were made to protect the working people. Groups like the American Federation of Labor allowed workers to have power and voice, changing the workplace for the better.
ReplyDeleteLabor unions are still intact today; protecting workers from unfair treatment, ensuring that workers can only serve for a certain amount of hours, and enabling people secure jobs. Unions keep people from losing their occupation if their job goes under, and allows for wealth to be shared throughout business instead of going to a single person. They have allowed people to take a stand for what they believe in and attempt to change what they regard as being unjust. If labor unions were not in existence, the middle, working, class would endure the deleterious effects of complying with unfair treatment. Labor unions are still a necessity, but this being said, although unions have helped many, they should not be taken advantage of. Those who work hard deserve to be treated well, so the benefits of a union should not be used as a crutch for not doing work or not doing it well.
- Pape
As America industrialized, more and more industries were created. As a result, the competition between these industries increased, which made pushed the focus of these industry towards profit rather than the good care of the workers, who were being paid a ridiculously small amount to work all day long and often in a dangerous environment. On top of this, children were commonly used as workers. In response to the new working conditions, labor unions were created in order to help ameliorate the workers' lives. Labor unions were also needed because it was the only way for workers to fight for their rights.
ReplyDeleteHowever, in today's society, in order to preserve the economy, labor unions should not exist. Although the conditions of workers are not great everywhere, labor unions now fight for higher wages rather than working conditions. Today, labor unions block the economy by organizing too many strikes and by always trying to higher the salaries of workers. Moreover, since the Post-Civil-War economy, many laws have been past in order to protect the worker from bad treatment. Consequently, labor unions are not needed anymore.
The industrial age and the flourishing growth as a result of it ,in the late 19th century affected most people in America. The work place was changing as machines became more prominent and the demand for unskilled workers shot up and brought a new range of people like immigrants and women into the work force. Their became an abundance of workers qualified for jobs operating new machinery in textile mills and factories which led to lower wages, because they were practically expendable. Most workers in factories worked ten or more hours a day with significantly less pay then minimum wage which, was necessary to support a decent life. In 1900, it was estimated that ten percent of Americans owned over three-fourths of the nations wealth. The conditions endured inside of the factories endured by laborers was brutal and took many tragic incidents to incite laws for the safety and well being of factory workers. In the 1842 case Commonwealth vs Hunt ruled that it was not illegal for workers to meet in groups or form a union. This was a great leap for the rights of factory workers. Twenty-four years later the first coalition of unions formed, The National Labor union. Many other unions proceeded to form after like the Knights of Labor and the American federation of labor. Labor unions fought for fewer hours in the work place and higher wages. A common practice to achieve their goals was going on strike until their goals were achieved. The struggle to unionize was key to overcome greedy corporations and protect rights of laborers.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion labor unions are still necessary. They serve the same purpose as they were founded to do. CEO and executive wages continue to skyrocket while the middle class suffers from layoffs, unemployment and average salaries. Money hungry executives are always going to seek max net profit for themselves at the expense of their employees. The middle and lower class still need representation to fight for their fair treatment in the workplace and to avoid the workplace spiraling downwards to what it was in the 19th century.
"Commonwealth v. Hunt." The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
"Labor Unions." : The Concise Encyclopedia of Economics. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
During the Industrial Revolution, factories contained very crude and dangerous equipment. It was the beginning of the mass assembly line technique for manufacturing, so there were no regulations or guidelines for working conditions and safety. Big businesses employed large numbers of people to perform a single task over and over again. These workers were not looked after, and if someone wasn't able to show up or perform their task properly, they were disposed of immediately and someone else was hired to replace. The owners showed no compassion towards the workers. They wanted a job to be completed for the cheapest operating cost possible, which led to disregard for spending money on safety equipment or proper working conditions. The workers needed a way to gain power against their employers. This was achieved through labor unions. The masses of workers going on strike forced the employers to supply appropriate equipment and conditions for work. The employees would only work when their demands were met. This was certainly necessary at the time, but with laws and regulations that control working conditions and safety for employees today, labor unions are no longer necessary. Standards have been set by the government for working conditions and regulations. Labor unions don't serve any useful purpose anymore. They only demand more than what has already been deemed necessary for work. These unions are just a way for workers to get more from their employers.
ReplyDeleteDuring the Civil War era, American workers desperately needed the help of the labor unions. Because of the post-civil war era companies’ selfish attitudes, such as making workers run factory outputs extremely high, while not increasing workers’ payments, there was a need for the rise of the labor unions in the United States. The owners of companies were just trying to satisfy their stockholders so that they would not lose their support funds. Due to this unacceptable situation for the workers, they decided to organize the union and to fight against their owners. The U.S. government realized the importance of the workers in the factories and companies and tried to protect their rights; as Dylan already mentioned previously, the Congress passed the National Labor Relations Act in 1935 to protect the general welfare of workers. When we look back, the situation of the workforce has changed, mitigating the desperate need for labor unions, compared to the times before. Though the condition of the labor in these days needs more improvement, the situation for our society has definitely improved. Compared to previous conditions, workers are not treated as badly as the time when people needed the labor unions. In the present day, however, the labor unions actually create negative impact to our society. They just focus on their selfish interests, not considering their negative impacts. The unions are causing the companies to go bankrupt since the workers are out of their offices or factories in a long period of time. The labor unions are no longer needed in America. Yes, we still have cases of harassment and abuse in the work force, yet these occasions can still be fixed if the government works closely with the workers and hears their voices.
ReplyDeleteThe need for Labor Unions in the United Sates has definitely not passed. However, due to the many labor laws passed since the Post-Civil War Era, the demonstrations posed by today’s labor unions should not be as severe as they used to be. During the Industrial Revolution, workers were not treated particularly well. They worked extremely long hours, and were paid hardly anything. Before laws banning Child Labor were passed, children as young as five years old worked in unsafe factories, and many of them got injured due to the dangerous machinery. During this era, there was an urgent need for a strong labor force to ensure proper treatment. These labor unions helped provide better working conditions and wages for employees. Although today’s working conditions have improved a great amount, they are still not perfect. Positive things like “Minimum Wage” have been created in order to ensure that employees get paid fairly, but like Jenalyn said, there are still companies using sweatshops in which have poor working conditions. Since we live in such an economically competitive country, it is imperative for employees of certain companies to come together in order to receive fair treatment. Even though the need for labor unions has gone down, it still exists.
ReplyDeleteAllie McErlean
The formation of labor unions came from the need to "protect the common interest of workers."The labor unions fought for the workers because of dangerous and unhealthy conditions of the factories that were constantly increasing in size to fill the growing demand of the consumer. During the Industrial Age businesses started to become corporations and because of this the space between and worker and his or her employer grew larger. The unions fought during the Industrial Age for better wages, humane working hours, safer working conditions and led the fight to stop child labor. The union workers also wanted health benefits and aid to be provided to those who were injured or retired. The AFL or american Federation of Labor came into being in 1886, it untied many of the unions together and is still very much alive today. In todays world the needs of the workers may have changed so therefore the goals of the unions may be slightly different but the unions central purpose continues to be advancing the economic and job interests of the union workers. It is this central purpose that keeps labor unions alive today. The labor union still provides the workforce with a voice which will always be needed.
ReplyDeletesource: Brody, David. "Labor Movement." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2013.
As America became a more industrialized world, jobs were being put in place to help sustain it. Instead of working on their own farms, Americans were now working for bosses in large factories or building infrastructure. There were problems that arose in these work places regarding fairness and equality for the workers. So organizations were put in place to help fight these problems. For example, the garment cutters of Philadelphia organized Labor Unions such as the “Knights of Labor”. Their aim was to bring all workers together into a union in the hopes that they would get "a proper share of the wealth they create", more leisure time, and more of all the benefits of society.(433 Bornstin&Kelley). In 1884, when the railroads cut wages, they successfully won their fight for better wages. These kinds of jobs were new to the nation, so there were bound to be problems. Businesses had not yet developed a successful working process that would benefit and please all. However, the labor unions helped them to do so. We could go into great detail bout how everyone is still not pleased today in the work place, but looking at the bigger picture, the labor unions were successful. Today, for the most part, American workers are, treated equally (racially, etc.), given enough vacation and leisure time and have sufficient wages. Moreover, with the variations in businesses today, there is no need for a labor union. Unlike in history when the jobs were virtually similar in their labor, a lot of corporations and companies in America are different now. And so are the demands and needs of their workers. Actuaries could not be allowed nearly as much vacation time as a waiter at a restaurant could because they have more work to be done. Back then, all the jobs were reasonably the same, so it was easy for the workers to unite with a common goal. Today, it would be more difficult. Therefore the need for labor unions is unnecessary. If there is a prevailing problem within the company, then they should get together as a company and decide what they should do about it.
ReplyDeleteAfter the Civil War era, the rise of the industrial system in America was becoming a predominant factor in society. This came upon the Industrial era where most of the American people worked for the Robber Barons that controlled 95 % of America's wealth. This was a brutal job. Working in a factory was not an ideal job for an American searching to find their American dream. Factories were ver dangerous and crowded. The work conditions were never safe; there were no safety regulations during the start of the mass assembly line. Companies now employed large amounts of people. No longer were there small business owners that looked out for their long time employee, or friend. Most managers and owners did not know their employees name, even though they most likely housed them and their family. Companies made their workers work for long hours, almost no pay, in these humid factories under unsafe conditions. No worker would complain because if they were to, they most likely would be fired and be replaced in a heart beat. To avoid personal confrontation with employers, labor unions were formed to defend workers and to inflict upon the employers better pay, hours, and conditions for their employees. Labor unions would go on strike for one specific need, such as shorter hours, and the employees would not go to work until this was achieved. The employees would return to work when their demand was met. These strikes forced employers to abide by what the employees wished. This made more factories easy to work with. Work hours got shortened to 8 hours per day and safety conditions improved drastically. This was a necessity at the time. The American National Government now has laws pertaining to the safety of a workplace. There is a set minimum wage in America, and rules on working hours. The government now operates to protect the safety and rights of its people, so labor unions are not necessary and would serve no purpose. Labor Unions that do exist demand more from employers that is unnecessary. These employees are taking it to far, and are asking more than they are granted. These unions are unfit for society today.
ReplyDeleteToffolon
Before the Civil War started there were very few people involved in industries. Once the war ended, industries became more common and the work force tripled in size. This rapid growth was never seen before and needed attention and time in order to become beneficial for both owners and workers. When the industries first started unskilled workers were paid very little and working conditions were harsh. It was not uncommon for workers to become hurt on the job and then unemployed with nowhere to go for assistance. For problems like these, benefit societies were formed which only provided little support for workers in need. In 1869, the Knights of Labor was organized for any workers having any reform ideas, demands, or complaints about their working conditions. They wanted to regulated work hours, health and safety laws, and see an end of child labor through political action rather than worker strikes. Their ideals were great for the future of working conditions especially in a time where industries were taking advantage of their workers. The early going needed lots of opinions and ideas from both sides. However, this group almost became too powerful and unorganized. Unorganized strikes and riots showed that members were taking advantage of the group’s power, as shown during the Haymarket Square Riot in 1886. I believe that we still need labor unions in order to keep a good balance between large companies and the work force to maintain a positive future between them. There are still issues in large companies today that need the opinion from the work force regarding wages, working conditions and any benefits. However, their needs to be a balance that allows for arguments without leading to unnecessary strikes or conflict. Once a union becomes to powerful, the company could have no choice in an argument regardless of the issue. This could drive them into the ground and eventually affecting the economy. A balance needs to be in place that keeps both sides honest.
ReplyDelete-Thompson
I believe that there is still a need for labor unions. Times have drastically changed since the post-Civil War era. Then was when America needed a strong labor force to supply and replenish our country. Every person in the family worked. These workers worked not only to support themselves, but by extension the entire country. Labor Unions have always given a voice to the workers who were employed under a tyrannical employer. The conditions that they were working under were disgusting and unethical. Unethical in the sense that the conditions were so unfit that they were dangerous. One example of these sweatshops is the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory (1911) where 146 young immigrant women died because of a fire that started and the inability of being able to leave the building that they were entrapped in. This was not the only incident where the consequence of poor working environment ended in innocent casualties.
ReplyDeleteTimes have changed since then and there are now laws in place preventing another incident like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Labor Unions are still needed because even though work places have made vast improvements from the post-Civil War era there are still some unjust factories where workers are not treated well. With Labor Unions these workers can speak out and hopefully get these companies changed.
As the American economy grew during the post civil war era, the need for skilled workers decreased. Labor unions were the result of a great rise in technology; the development of bigger and more advanced factories and huge corporations. The workers that previously controlled their tools and were skilled in their work became people to turn on high tech machines to do their jobs for them. There was nothing pleasant about these factories, they were grim, dusty, and unhealthy. Surprisingly, many of the people working in them were women and children. This labor was intense, and factory owners strived to pay the workers as little as possible. Though labor unions had existed for a long time in places such as New York, Philadelphia, and other cities to protect worker's interests; now they were truly needed. In 1886, Sam Gomepers' project to bring the labor unions together was reorganized as the 'American Federation of Labor.' This group accumulated 1.75 million members. (Boorstin and Kelley, 434) This group revolted against this unfair and slave - like labor and was beneficial in many ways. It truly improved working conditions and wages for hard working people.
ReplyDeleteLabor unions were import in that time period, and I believe them to be somewhat necessary today as well. Though in America we have the necessary laws in place for workers to be earning minimum wage and to be treated fairly in the workplace, there is still a need for labor unions. Many people working for large scale companies in factories are still mistreated, underpaid, and forced into child labor. This is absolutely unacceptable, and a reason for Labor Unions. People need to feel that their rights are secure and represented, and this is an important organization for that. Though the majority of people are treated fairly in this day and age, and don't feel that they need to be a part of a union, as Hannah said, Labor Unions set standards on how work place's should operate and should stay in place solely as a reminder of how to treat workers.
Amelia Patsalos-Fox
In a Capitalist society- a society in which one is only as successful as the cumulative worth of his assets- there will always be the incentive for a successful few to exploit the less-successful masses for monetary gain. Therefore, the need for labor unions will, and has always been, evident, especially since the rise of the Industrial Revolution. During the Post Civil War Era, as the sizes of factories increased, and greater numbers of businesses started converting into corporations, it became easier for factory and business owners to think of labor as simply an item to be bought at the lowest possible cost. This led to the depreciation of factory workers, a majority of which were women and children. And the influx of large numbers of immigrants during the 1840s and 1850s did nothing but increase the competition for jobs among workers and decrease the necessity for corporations to maintain proper working conditions within their factories. Thus workers were forced to work twelve to sixteen hour days in dangerous and poorly ventilated buildings. These conditions induced the rise of organized national unions, such as the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions in 1881, to improve their wages and working environments. The long-suffering struggle for higher wages, safer working conditions, and shorter hours eventually succeeded officially with the Wagner Act in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal”, which is still in effect today. Without the provisions made by these unions, working conditions in the United States would simply revert to their original, unhealthy state. So with that I say no, the need for labor unions has not passed, and as long as America remains a Capitalist society, the need will continue to exist.
ReplyDeleteThere are several pros and cons to labor unions and their effects on businesses. They are meant to protect employees by making sure there are high enough wages and benefits. Although on paper the special protocols of the union would seem to help workers and the overall economy, it can often backfire because there are many cons to this system. Business owners, a large part of the economy, are discouraged by these regulations. It is costly and complicated to abide by them. Raised wages and benefits are expensive, and the restrictions on firing and hiring employees are complex. If business owners are discouraged, there is a decrease in job supply. This takes away from the economy and the entire country. The United States is in a fragile state right now, especially pertaining to the issue of job availability. The country has come a long way since labor unions were created. The economy and methods of businesses and factories have transformed for the better, therefor setting our country on a path to no longer needing the watching eye of labor unions anymore.
ReplyDeleteAfter the Civil War, the US becomes more technologically advanced and industrialized. As something that comes together with this progress, the needs for labor also increased. However, because of capitalist beliefs, factory owners tried to minimize the labor cost in order to gain as much profit as possible. As a result, the workers had to work for a ridiculously long period of time, but gained too little in return. This situation gave rise to the labor unions,including Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor, which were founded to protect workers' rights and ensure that they had fair wage and work time.
ReplyDeleteComparing to modern days, workers' conditions are improved a lot more as there are more and more policies passed to help workers, making the unions less needed. Furthermore, the nature of these unions have deviated over time. Despite the rights given to the workers today, the unions still try to gain more profit, putting a step beyond the purpose of these organizations. As a result, they hamper the US economy and thus should not be needed anymore.
The need for labor unions has hardly passed today, and will continue to help and support the workers in the nation.
ReplyDeleteSince the industrial revolution during the post-civil war period, factories and cities gradually replaced farms. The expansion of manufacturing during the 19th century needed more and more labors. However, as the workers moved away from agriculture to the factories, they were treated very badly. Labors worked very long hours in an unsafe condition with low pay. Not only man or women, even children had to work in factories. As a result, unions were formed to fight for better wages, safer conditions and a equal treatment.
Today, especially in a capitalist society, unions continue to serve the same purpose as when it was founded. Government has passed many laws to protect the rights of workers and the rates of unionization were declining in the past few decades, unions seems unnecessary. However, the government also passed The Employee Free Choice Act to boost the unionization rate. However, in a country founded by freedom and equality, we do not want to hear the voice only from the government, nor employer, nor the employee themselves. Labor Union negotiates on behalf of the whole working group for equality. Also, union provided the huge middle class which helped the economy. With unions, employers have to pay more for the workers and therefore increase the national wage. Workers are the core of a nation’s economy, just after the great economic depression, we need to put more money in the workers hand (similar to the idea of creating jobs). Therefore, we need labor unions.
Delete one however.
DeleteDuring the post civil war era and during the industrialism period, there was an urgent need for labor unions. New industries, new economic systems, and new lifestyles that were unprecedented started to emerge in the American society. Cities were growing incredibly fast, and urbanization was hastened with industrialization. To meet the demands of growing population and new life style, factories started mass-production. And to produce goods immensely, workers were exploited in harsh ways. Factories forced workers to work more than 12 hours a day. In fact, these workers included not only included women but also children. Workers had nothing to do but just work in these conditions because they had no power to ask for what they wanted. Even though individual workers complained or asked for better working conditions to the employer, it did not bring any impact of change to the employer. The employer could have just fired the workers and hire new employees. However, with the labor unions, the unions helped the individual workers to voice their opinion to employers. Furthermore, the labor unions guaranteed the rights of workers with working hours per week, minimum wage, and certain working conditions. Labor unions are still necessary in present day. Companies and corporations are facilities that have the capability for providing workers or employees the wages. Furthermore these companies or corporations have the choice to pick out workers. Because of these reasons, the companies, abusing these strengths, can make the workers do whatever they want. To stop and regulate these abuses, labor unions are necessary in modern world. Even though there are labor departments and labor laws these days, there are still sweatshops and corporations that exploit workers by avoiding laws in shrewd ways. For instance, Forever 21 has been getting away with labor laws for a fair amount of time. For the betterment of working conditions and treatments, and for the powerless employees, who are under the control of companies, labor unions are necessary in present society.
ReplyDeleteLabor unions today are not as necessary as they were during the beginning of this industrialized society, but they are definitively still needed. During the industrial revolution, there were millions of job openings for unskilled workers, but as the industry progressed, many people lost their jobs because of the invention of machines that replaced people. They also worked in unbelievably dangerous in every possible aspect. During this time, labor unions were crucial for unskilled workers to survive in society. These unions could form strikes and other forms of rebellion in order to get what they deserve, thus helping out this working class. Today there are millions of workers that are still working long days in terrible conditions, therefore the need for labor unions is still afloat. It is not until every person is treated like they deserve and sweatshops are discontinued in modern society that the need for labor unions will fade away as well.
ReplyDelete-Escobar
Labor unions grew greatly during the Post Civil War Era for the industrial systems. The factories in the cities required thousands of workers to produce the products and materials needed. Business’s of mass production grew into corporations because there were far more advantages in order for the businesses to become successful, such as limited liability. Owners believed that they could have labor workers for a cheap price. Labor workers were crammed into small cities with little resources and terrible work environments. They would have to work up to 16 hours a day. Due to the terrible conditions and treatment for the workers, labor unions formed together in the . Henry Blodget from Yahoo News writes “Unions came into being because company owners weren't sharing enough of their companies' wealth with the rank-and-file employees who helped produce it” (Blodget Yahoo). Labor unions are “associations of workers who are banded together for the purpose of improving their employment conditions and protecting themselves and their coworkers from economic and legal exploitation” National organized unions formulated and persuaded Congress to reduce the hours of their workday. Many employees in companies today are protesting for their wants and needs. Protestors that are arguing against unfair pay practices include employees at American Airlines, Wal-Mart, and fast food chains in New York City. The need for labor unions has certainly not passed in America; there is still a need for them in order to keep fair rules in the corporation world despite the laws and improvements from the post-civil war labor conditions. An individual in a work place does not have enough power to protect his or her rights or voice a strong opinion in conflict. Labor unions allow workers to come together and advocate for an individual as well as fight for what they all want together. Labor unions give a voice to the workers who feel the need for a change if something with their job is not fair, protect employees of their wages and benefits, and are beneficial for feedback in corporations.
ReplyDeleteBlodget, Henry. "Why We Need Labor Unions After All." Yahoo! Finance. N.p., Nov.-Dec. 2012. Web. 28 Jan. 2013.
After the Civil War, the American economy was transformed by numerous revolutionary inventions, as well as new scientific approaches to production techniques. This brought an end to the small, individual businesses and opened a new era of mass production. In order to economize time and maximize the productivity, industries start to bring forth new techniques of work that would transform the American way of working.Workers lose their individuality and became parts of a greater chain. Their working conditions gradually became harsher with long hours and minimal wages. This change brought the exploited workers together to form unions, fighting for their common interests. These unions were vital to the lives of the American workers, because they are the only legal tool for the workers to rebel against abusive bosses.
ReplyDeleteNowadays, laws have been passed to protect the American workers. The working conditions are remarkably better. This brings forth the question of the necessity for Unions to exist. I personally believe that Unions are still an crucial to the lives of the workers. They are the sole reason for the positive progress of the workers' conditions, and they must stay as a reminder even if they do not need to actively protest against the ruling classes. For example, it is illegal to drive full speed through a crosswalk without pausing. People pause in front of crosswalks mostly because of the law. If the government were to remove this law, how can we be sure that drivers will continue giving the priority to the pedestrians? Driving through crosswalks do not harm drivers directly. In fact, it benefits the drivers by saving their time, and they might not think about the harm or inconvenience this will bring to the pedestrians crossing the street. The same logic can be applied to the Union. The Union is the law, protecting the workers who, like the pedestrians, are on a vulnerable spot, from the industries' owners, like the drivers, who are dominating and have the choice to care or not care about the lives of the others.
Because of this, I believe that Unions will always be needed as a protection to the workers' rights. Even if they are not active, their existence is already a crucial reminder to the masters that their power is limited, and therefore they cannot use their rights if they are violating the rights of their workers.
Linh VO
Labor Unions, established to create a voice for the labor force of firms, have been and still are a key to success for equality in the work place, while indirectly affecting positive economic growth. In 1886, the year the American Federation of Labor (AFL) was recognized, Samuel Gromper – the president – commenced the strong fight for labor unions to exist and be productive. Although, this wasn’t the starting point for unions, it signified the strong will for unions to exist. The AFL was so successful that by 1904 there was a jaw-dropping 1.75 million members. While the post civil war era had become the first battle ground for labor unions and sparked triumph, the actually victory did not come until around World War II. In today’s world, unions are trying to strive in society but are met with adversity such as the Republican Party. A “New York Times” article recently stated that the labor force in unions has decreased, unfortunately, and is now at a 97 year low. This sad statistic did not hurt William Sprigg’s, the A.F.L. – C.I.O.’s chief economist, feelings. The up-beat character said that he is not worried and but rather happy about other statics surrounding unions for example, memberships are up with Latinos and Asian Americans as well as some southern states. The confidence demonstrated by the chief economist is a clear indication that labor unions will survive and still benefit those of the work place. This article also mentioned an astonishing statistic correlated with the salaries differing between union and non – union members. In 2012, union members had average weekly earnings of $943 amounting to $49,000 annually meanwhile non-union members made only $742 weekly and $38,600 annually. This comparison shows that throughout unions’ history the fight for wages has come along way. Hersh, an author who recently wrote a persuasive article about the “Right – to – Work” Bill, stated that “preponderance of economic evidence… show(s) that unions foster high – productivity, high – profit firms.” Adam Hersh also wrote that unions help the middle class and, in turn, construct economic competitiveness. In all, Hersh clarified how unions promoted positive economic growth. Overall, unions have been a driving force in the Labor effort throughout history and although, nowadays, there is not a dire dependence on them, they still deserve to exist and benefit the select few who need their attention.
ReplyDeleteWork Cited
Boorstin, Daniel J., Brooks Mather. Kelley, and Ruth Frankel. Boorstin. A History of the
United States. Lexington, MA: Ginn, 2007. Print.
Greenhouse, Steven. "Union Membership Drops Despite Job Growth." The New York
Times. N.p., 24 Jan. 2013. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
Hersh, Adam. "Michigan "€˜Right-to-Work" Bill Is the Wrong Economics for the Middle
Class." Www.americanprogress.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
-Sam Sabin
The need for labor unions has not yet passed however change is needed in some instances. When industrialism was first on the rise, hard hours and unsafe work conditions with unfair pay were common. Labor unions exist for the purpose of protecting workers from unsafe work environments and prevents exploitation. Which made sense at the time, and still do. While modern unions still ensure safe work environments and respectful hours, there is a larger focus on "fair wages for the work produced." Safe work conditions are still needed, however; the need for them in our modern society can be reflected in a statistic taken by the Library of Economics and Liberty. According to the Library of Economics and Liberty, "the private sector had peaked in 1970 with 17 million members. That number had dwindled to 8.8 million by 2002." This shows the decreasing number of union members in the private sector. On the other hand, it is estimated that the public sector will house the majority of unionized workers in the near future. There are however disadvantages to labor unions, like a lack of competitiveness between companies because of the increase of cost of the product due to the increased wages of unionized workers. From a consumer standpoint, the cheaper price looks better, which may come from a company with un-unionied workers. But I'd rather pay more for a product knowing it came from a company that ensures safe work conditions and well paid workers rather than companies that use sweat shops.
ReplyDelete-Schiffer
Sources:
Lanclos, Jesse. "Disadvantages of Labor Unions." EHow. Demand Media, 22 Aug. 2009. Web. 28 Jan. 2013.
BryanSpear. "The Purpose of Labor Unions." EHow. Demand Media, 05 May 2010. Web. 28 Jan. 2013.
Following the Civil War, America became an industrialized nation. We moved from a agrarian culture to an industrialized nation because America wanted more wealth and power. By industrializing our workforce, the US could produce more goods for sale at a much faster pace. With Industrialization comes the need for people to work at the factories and help produce these goods at a much more rapid rate. Industrialization opened up millions of jobs for Americans after the Civil War. Many people at this time needed jobs and would work in an conditions to provide for their families. Some factories provided unsafe conditions for their workers or unfair pay, thus labor unions were created. Labor Unions protected the rights of the workers in these factories, and in my opinion are NOT needed today. Although labor unions gave the workers of the factories a voice, it also gave them too much power and decreased the competitiveness of workers in these factories. Even in the current industrial world many people cannot be hired at factories unless they are part of these labor unions, therefore lowering the chance for people to obtain jobs. Unions also try to protect the workers, which i feel is unnecessary because if you are going to be working at a factory and don't like the conditions or pay; quit. Their are people that need the money and will work more efficiently for less money that the Factories could hire, but the labor unions prevent this from happening. Lastly, the Labor Unions are the ones to blame for the shortage of jobs in the US today because many large corporations have exported their factory jobs overseas where they can hire workers for less money and less regulations.
ReplyDelete-Fortenbaugh
By definition, a labor union is: "An organized association of workers, often in a trade or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests." After the Civil War era, these labor unions reached their peak. Workers risked their jobs in attempt to improve their lives. A new warfare had begun - instead of military battlegrounds between the North and the South, there were industrial battles between the employers and the employees. These unions formed in effort to increase their wages, decrease their hours, better their working conditions, have more independence, and protect their interests. All of these motives are justifiable, they had a right to rebel.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, labor unions are no longer necessary. Although working conditions still aren't perfect, they are considerably better than in the 1890s, thanks to the labor unions back then. The reasons have changed, the conditions in the 1890s are obviously not the same as now. Instead of fighting for better hours, better wages, and better conditions, most labor unions now are almost trying to take advantage by demanding better benefits. In addition, there are also many laws and regulations regarding employment conditions, such as wages and hours worked, safety and health standards, retirement standards, and many more. Workers still have the right to be treated well and that is why they are protected by the law and why labor unions are at an all time low.
- Nicky Friedman
Krissy Govertsen:
ReplyDeletePost-civil war era labor continued to increase as a result of the industrial revolution. Factory production was on the rise, but the treatment of workers was not. Colleen’s term paper topic is a great example of this. The triangle shirt waist company locked a bunch of women and children in a room, and when a fire started they were forced to jump out a window to their death. Workers in this time period were constantly battling with their employers for higher wages, short hours, working conditions and even a different schedule. The Knights of Labor was a major tried a variety of ways to solve their problems. They brought all workers in one big union, to give ‘a proper share of the wealth they create’. The Knights also wanted eight-hour days, and opposed child labor. (Boorstin & Kelley) They eventually fell apart because of their public opinion. Labor unions were meant to protect the people and give them what they want and or needed. In modern America there are few laborious jobs, but just because the number has decreased, does not mean that the need for labor union has passed. There are still professions in America that depend on their Labor Unions. For example with the 2008 recession, many unions such as the American Federation of Teachers fought for their members to keep their jobs. This union fights for the rights of any person who works in the Education department. Without Labor Unions a large group of similar people would not have a voice. If something affects the union as a whole, you are more likely to get publicity and people on your side than a single person or a couple of individual people. Labor Unions will be a necessity of American Society as long as there is a working class. Yes, working conditions, salary, weekly hours, and even vacation time, are accomplishments of the results of Labor Unions, but just because we have made it this far does not mean these unions should cease to exist. We live in a dynamic world, everything is constantly changing, Labor Unions protect their people for changes that can and will affect them in negative ways. To sustain the working class, Labor Unions must exist.
Sources: Boorstin, Daniel J., and Brooks M. Kelley. A History of the United States. New York: Prentice Hall, Inc., 2002. Print.
Eloise Morrow:
ReplyDeleteDuring the industrial revolution a transition occurred from a dominatingly agricultural society to one centralized around factories and manufacturing industries. These factories more often than not had horrible conditions and the women and children employed there received a significantly lower pay than the men. There were many other injustices in the work place that went unnoticed by the government. These mistreated workers were trapped, not wanting to give up their only means of income. But as conditions dramatically worsened and pay became scarce, there was a desperate need for someone to protect the rights of these mistreated citizens. Eventually groups began to ban together against their employers with hopes that they would be recognized; ultimately beginning the earliest labor unions in America. The most noted of the early labor unions was the United Mine Workers of America which was created in 1890 but there were many other independent groups who were a part of the American Federations of Labor founded in 1886. This federation dealt with the inequalities and injustices in the work place. As labor unions gained more dominancy many positive changes were accomplished such as limiting the hours in a workday and enforcing a minimum wage. Although conditions have obviously drastically improved from the industrial revolution era, I believe there is still a need for labor unions to exist in the work place today. Many major corporations that hire thousands of employs may ignore some of their workers individual efforts. This is were labor unions step in and ensure that everyone is treated equally. They ensure that companies for example do not give people promotions because of bribery or seniority but because they deserve the position. Very rarely today in America is racism an problem but that is not to say that in some work places racism is not an issue, Unions stand ready to back employees no matter their skin color or sex. Although the need for unions is not at dire need it once was there it is still important for them to exist and continue to maintain equality in the American work place.
Malek, Joseph. "History of Labor Unions in the United States." Helium. Helium, 01 Mar. 2007. Web. 28 Jan. 2013.