In the early days, people who joined labor unions risked their lives! In 1881 Henry Miller, the first president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, traveled around the county working jobs and organizing. He would have to hide his union ticket in his shoe, people would be beaten and killed for belonging to a union.
Most Labor Unions are a formal group of workers.
yes
The National Labor Relations Act or Wagner Act of 1935 increased membership in labor unions. The act guaranteed the right of workers to form unions.
They were not FORCED to. A fraction of US workers did so voluntarily after it became legal. Most US workers have never been in unions.
Skilled labor organizations, like those for carpenters and printers, were known as unions. They were successful at conducting strikes and raising wages for workers.
Strikes or labour disruption
open shop
the Knights of Labor became a national labor organization in the 1880's. Unlike most union's Knights recruited people who had been kept out of trade unions including women, African Americans, immigrants, and unskilled laborers.
LAbor unions were never popular ... not with workers (most of whom voted NOT to be in unions) nor with managers.
strikebreakers
strikebreakers
Most Labor Unions are a formal group of workers.
American Federation of Labor (AFL)
Labor unions were the groups that were most affected by the Red Scare. Some American businesses used the Red Scare as a method to demonize labor unions, claiming they were all communists. As a result, the unions, who had become very strong, lost over a million members. In actuality, communist membership in labor unions was very small, and mainly within the unions within the Congress of Industrial Organizations.
Labor unions were the groups that were most affected by the Red Scare. Some American businesses used the Red Scare as a method to demonize labor unions, claiming they were all communists. As a result, the unions, who had become very strong, lost over a million members. In actuality, communist membership in labor unions was very small, and mainly within the unions within the Congress of Industrial Organizations.
Union organizers were often socialists and anarchists. This worried the public they would try to achieve the goals of such philosophies
No, they don't have to, but most choose to.