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Summary Trade Union essay plans, USA civil rights
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A* trade union essay plans (thematic) based on OCR History A level specification.
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1. “The internal divisions within the labour and trade union movement in the USA werethe most important obstacle to the progress of labour rights in the period from 1865
to 1992” How far do you agree? (25)
Intro:
Define divisions
During the period, TU movement in the USA did make considerable progress in certain
areas e.g. ND and 1930’s
However…. Much to suggest internal divisions within the movement severely hindered it
Early period- Haymarket affair 1886, exclusivity of unions such as the NLU, definitive
hindrance to worker solidarity
Attitudes of the Fed govt and employers was the most important obstacle when examining
the whole period- both were key to ensuring workers remained exploited
Themes: Attitudes of Fed govt, Attitudes of employers, impact of union division
Theme 1: Divisions
Clear and identifiable divisions within the movement which had an adverse effect on the
development of labour rights
NLU 1866- first union to promote the plight of the working class and unskilled workers, yet
success was limited due to divisions. NLU excluded AA’s and did little to help women-
demonstrating that sexism and racism were definitive barriers to true unity and solidarity
National Negro Labour Union 1869- created in pursuit of equal representation for AA's-
unsuccessful in affiliating with white skilled unions. Black workers were often used as scab
labour, so exacerbated tensions further. Judgement for NLU and NNLU- divisions, prejudice
and biased characterised much of the leadership and membership, inhibiting ability to
organise the work force effectively, demise of NLU by 1870s
NLU- campaigned for immigration restrictions as well as KOL who saw the asian immigrants
as competition that employers exploited to keep wages minimal
KOL- despite extending membership to AA’s and women (10,000 women and 50,000 AA’s),
was still limited because they did not include immigrants (majority of unskilled labour) and
also differed in policies as they did not support use of strike action, instead reforming
legislation and political activism was the best method. This isolated them from many other
unions who did not support this.
Even in 1960s’, Cesar Chavez was advocating restrictions on immigration as the influx
effected US born workers- indicative of the racial, ethic and gender divisions that remained
persistent throughout the period
Haymarket affair 1886- serves as an example of how quickly divisions could form and
weaken the movement. Evidenced in demise of KOL membership to 100,000 due to
reputation of militancy creating internal divisions- led to many of the unions breaking away
from KOL and joining the Industrial Workers of the World/AFL .
Arrival of immigrant labour not only drove whites + skilled workers to form own exclusive
unions, it also exacerbated the existing tensions that were caused by influx of AA workers
post- emancipation
When unions weren’t hurt by divisions, as evidenced by the amalgamation of the AFL-CIO in
1955, they were considerably more successful at advancing rights of labour. Inadvertently
suggests that internal divisions were indeed the most important obstacle to progress-
divisions were a clear contributing factor as to whether there was progress in the movement
,Theme 2: Attitudes of Fed Govt
Hid behind position of laissez faire, rarely intervened in disputes and if they did it would be in
support of employers. Evidenced by PATCO 1981 and Pullman strike 1894
Cleveland- used fed force to break up Pullman display, first time law had been invoked to
break strike action, involved superseding power of the state. Indicative of fed govt
commitment to ensuring worker inferiority, urged SC to legalise injunctions in 1895, gave
employers a powerful advantage.
Reagan’s stance in response to PATCO- highlighted fed control
Terminated 11,000 workers and permanently banned them from the aviation industry
Massive decline in union membership due to fear of unemployment- also further divided
unions (AFL-CIO did not support PATCO)
Taft Hartley 1947- greatly weakened union movement, revealed Republican desire to
suppress unions. CIO rooted in communism- act deprived the union of a ⅓ of its members
and created further divides within movement (communism vs non). Act proved to be a huge
obstacle to union movement and subsequent progression for rest of period
Only conciliatory when there was a gain for them- WWs and New Deal
Lochner Vs New York 1905- exploited workers, claimed imposing a working limit
unconstitutional- again demonstrated the attitudes of the fed govt who continually ensured
their lack of progression
IJ: took a harsh and controlling attitude, actions dramatically affected employer attitudes as
well. Could be argued actions of fed govt ultimately prohibited progression of labour rights
and not internal divisions
Theme 3: Employers attitudes
Pivotal obstacle to improvement of workers rights. Rarely acted in interest of workers, did so
with the interest of money, mass production and themselves. Corrupt, basis of their huge
monopolies upon exploitation of workers through low pay etc
1892 Homestead Strike- prime example of neg attitude of employers, caused by Carnegie
steels low wages and withdrawal of union recognition. Resorted to violence over negotiation,
as evidenced through Frick’s hiring of the Pinkertons
Main goal- ensure workers remain subject to their influence, adversely affected their ability to
progress
Welfare capitalism- on surface conciliatory, in reality, a ruse to avert strike action.
Employees= obliged to sign yellow dog contracts
WW2- Ford finally unionised in 1941, supposedly positive employer approach, saw wages
rise to the extent of boosting average earnings by 70%. However, effects= short lived, no
lasting impression of reform, returned to exploitation as soon as pressure for supplying war
effort dissipated
1980s- many began to stop unionising their firms due to competition with firms who were
non-unionised. Meant they could have stronger control over wages etc
PATCO impact- set a precedent that employers could fire workers if they went on strike;
example of fed govt setting the tone of whether labour would progress
IJ: Although at points conciliatory- it was similarly a method of benefitting their own interests
and had nothing to do with progressing labour rights. Rather attitudes of employers
remained a persistent obstacle throughout entire period, no doubt that power was
concentrated with employers in 1990s regardless of union divisions.
, Conclusion: attitude of fed govt most important obstacle to workers solidarity. Attitudes of
employers- equally uncooperative yet their actions were ultimately subject tot fed govt who
set ultimate tone (WWs and ND they were supportive of unions and thus employers had a
conciliatory approach).
2. ‘Assess the extent to which internal divisions within the trade union and labour
movement limited the development of their civil rights in the period from 1865-1992.’
(25)
Intro:
Define division- on the basis of gender, race, immigration, skilled v unskilled.
Divisions characterised much of the labour movement during this period- if they had been
united in a single cause then the fight for development of their rights would’ve proved much
more successful. The fact that by 1992, unions were divided on the basis of radicalism and
differing policies following PATCO with their rights remaining restricted, suggests that the
internal divisions were indeed a large limitation.
Early period- Haymarket affair 1886, exclusivity of unions such as the NLU, definitive
hindrance to worker solidarity
In the 1960s- skilled v unskilled can be seen as a key factor to workers remaining inferior
due to advancements in technology leaving unskilled unrepresentated and unemployed
However, arguably the Attitudes of the Fed govt and employers were more important in
limiting the development of their civil rights when examining the whole period- both were key
to ensuring workers remained exploited
Themes: Attitudes of Fed govt, Attitudes of employers, impact of union division
Theme 1: Union division
Clear and identifiable divisions within the movement which had an adverse effect on the
development of labour rights
NLU 1866- first union to promote the plight of the working class and unskilled workers, yet
success was limited due to divisions. NLU excluded AA’s and did little to help women-
demonstrating that sexism and racism were definitive barriers to true unity and solidarity
National Negro Labour Union 1869- created in pursuit of equal representation for AA's-
unsuccessful in affiliating with white skilled unions. Black workers were often used as scab
labour, so exacerbated tensions further. Judgement for NLU and NNLU- divisions, prejudice
and biased characterised much of the leadership and membership, inhibiting ability to
organise the work force effectively, demise of NLU by 1870s
NLU- campaigned for immigration restrictions as well as KOL who saw the asian immigrants
as competition that employers exploited to keep wages minimal
KOL- despite extending membership to AA’s and women (10,000 women and 50,000 AA’s),
was still limited because they did not include immigrants (majority of unskilled labour) and
also differed in policies as they did not support use of strike action, instead reforming
legislation and political activism was the best method. This isolated them from many other
unions who did not support this.
Even in 1960’, Cesar Chavez was advocating restrictions on immigration as the influx
effected US born workers- indicative of the racial, ethic and gender divisions that remained
persistent throughout the period
Haymarket affair 1886- serves as an example of how quickly divisions could form and
weaken the movement. Evidenced in demise of KOL membership to 100,000 due to
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