Workers Owners and Unions 1870s

Laissez Faire

1770 American Revolution

1800s Industrial Revolution 1860s Civil War

1880s Gilded Age

Labor Issues During Gilded Age

Main Questions:1. Why would workers unite

together?2. Are the interests of owners and

workers the same?3. How does one control their labor

force?

Labor unions are legally recognized as representatives of workers in many industries in the United States

Reading Section

4 in a groupIdentify B and PWhat did workers want and why?What did owners want and why?What did government do?What was the biggest obstacle facing the

owner?

Unions Begin

American Federation of Labor: Created in 1886 by Samuel Gompers. Union addressed skilled laborer issues.

Knights of Labor: Created in 1869. Allowed women and African Americans. The union addressed the concerns of unskilled laborers.

IWW: Wanted a restructuring of the class and wage system.

Haymarket Strike The Haymarket Riot in Chicago in May 1886 killed several people, and resulted in a highly controversial trial followed by

executions of four men who may have been innocent. The American labor movement was dealt a severe setback

Homestead Strike

Pullman Boycott Pullman Strike of 1894, in which federal troops and court injunctions successfully put down the American

Railway Union's boycott

1880s Tension between both owners win

Wagner Act 1935 workers allowed to organize workers win

1940-1980 unions thrive workers win

1981 Air Traffic controllers owners win

Will you be protected? Do you want to be?