Labor Unions

The first "labor unions" were Guild organizations and were very narrow in scope and dealt with only one type of craft activity. The first American labor unions dated from before 1800. The first was founded in 1794 in Philadelphia, by a group of shoemakers and called the Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers (shoemakers). In 1866 William Sylvis organized the National Labor Union and worked to organize workers in many different states and of different occupations. In 1869, a group of tailors, led by Uriah P. Stephens, formed the Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor. In 1866, a union was organized that was composed of several associations of skilled workers. This union came to be called the American Federation of Labor, and held many successful strikes under the leadership of Samuel Gompers.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) makes sure that both the employers and unions follow the law pertaining to workers right to join or not join a union. They will monitor an election for union representation and conduct hearings for ULPs (Unfair Labor Practices).

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(by Solomon Zelman)

As of 2021, there are an estimated 340 million workers represented by trade unions globally, with more than 300 international trade union organizations. The number of unions varies by country and industry, with some countries having many small unions while others may have large, centralized organizations. Overall, the total number of unions worldwide is difficult to quantify precisely due to the diverse nature of labor movements across different regions.

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Labor unions were created by workers to protect them from abuse by employers. Before labor unions people did not have set work days, overtime, breaks, set wages, due process when a problem comes up, not be fired at will , weekends off, holidays off, insurance or retirement . Work place injuries go up without union protection to insure that the work place is free of hazards that can harm the workers. Wages are lower in nonunion shops, and workers are not represented when a problem comes up with management . Today, many of the rights gained by workers are slowly fading away as unions come under attack.

A trade union (British English) or labor union (American English) is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members (rank and file[1] members) and negotiates labour contracts (collective bargaining) with employers. This may include the negotiation of wages, work rules, complaint procedures, rules governing hiring, firing and promotion of workers, benefits, workplace safety and policies. The agreements negotiated by the union leaders are binding on the rank and file members and the employer and in some cases on other non-member workers.

Originating in Europe, trade unions became popular in many countries during the Industrial Revolution, when the lack of skill necessary to perform most jobs shifted employment bargaining power almost completely to the employers' side, causing many workers to be mistreated and underpaid. Trade union organizations may be composed of individual workers, professionals, past workers, or the unemployed. The most common, but by no means only, purpose of these organizations is "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment".[2]

Over the last three hundred years, many trade unions have developed into a number of forms, influenced by differing political objectives. Activities of trade unions vary, but may include:

Provision of benefits to members: Early trade unions, like Friendly Societies, often provided a range of benefits to insure members against unemployment, ill health, old age and funeral expenses. In many developed countries, these functions have been assumed by the state; however, the provision of professional training, legal advice and representation for members is still an important benefit of trade union membership.

Collective bargaining: Where trade unions are able to operate openly and are recognized by employers, they may negotiate with employers over wages and working conditions.

Industrial action: Trade unions may enforce strikes or resistance to lockouts in furtherance of particular goals.

Political activity: Trade unions may promote legislation favourable to the interests of their members or workers as a whole. To this end they may pursue campaigns, undertake lobbying, or financially support individual candidates or parties (such as the Labour Party in Britain) for public office.

Out of 151 million workers in the U.S. only 16.1 million belong to unions, which is about 9.4% of all Americans belong to unions.

whith prostitution they could make twice the mony in half the tim as with south unions

False. Employers exchanged blacklists of union members to prevent them from getting jobs and were employed to crush strikes.

Taft-Hartly Act

Employees had to work regular hours and do the same work over and over.

Disgruntled US citizens that wanted a way to protect their income and taxation rights and Unions formed!

During the late 19th century, Big Business began to boom. While business owners had previously hired skilled labor, they now began to trade skilled workers in for machinery and immigrants who were willing to work for lower wages. As a result, many Americans found themselves without work or working in subpar conditions. Workers felt a growing sense of helplessness, and looked to collective action to bring about change. And thus, the labor union was born. Labor unions wished to abolish class privilege and monopoly, earn higher wages and an eight-hour workday, and combat the presence of immigrant workers. Many people of this era held the belief that Anglo-Saxons were superior to all other races; additionally, they felt thretened by immigrant workers, as mentioned before. Becuase of this, many of the newly formed labor unions excluded immigrants and unskilled workers from their ranks.

Collective bargaining frequently requires a third party to help the parties reach an acceptable solution. In these situations, such strategies as mediation, arbitration, and conflict resolution are used.

In the face of large corporations and weak employment and health and safety law, an individual employee is weak and can be unfairly treated, paid, bullied or forced to work in unsafe conditions.

Employees joining together in Union, enables workers to speak to the employer with more strength and indeed makes it more efficient for both parties to negotiate on matters affecting pay and safety.

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There are many areas in which a person may improve during a job interview. People can improve on eye contact for example.

The Knights welcomed all wage earners of former wage earners including women; they excluded only bankers, doctors, lawyers,stockbrokers, professional gamblers and liquor dealers.

Kalmar Union ended in 1523.

In 1869, a group of tailors, led by Uriah P. Stephens, formed the Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor. They spread their message in secret, organizing workers of different jobs but not getting political. They realized that labor organizers and labor members would be fired by employers, so the Knights remained a secret organization as long as it could. The Knights differed from the then most notable of unions, the National Labor Union, in that they accepted Blacks and women and unskilled workers. In 1879, Stephens was replaced by Terence V. Powderly, and the Knights became a labor powerhouse. The Knights continued to grow until the infamous Haymarket Square tragedy was unfairly blamed on the Knights, by business owners and officials.

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There were no legal unions in the 1840's when the Irish diaspora started.

US workers saw that new English speaking immigrants desperate for work were a bigger competition for jobs than were non-English speakers.

Three notable labor unions were formed: the National Labor Union, Knights of Labor, and American Federation of Labor. The first two failed due to different reasons, while the AFL succeeded. The AFL sought to protect all skilled workers and wanted a fair share of labor. They didn't push for extreme reforms only shorter hours, increased conditions, and wages. Even after the panic of 1893 they continued to grow (500,000 members).