A full, in-depth timeline of all key events related to the emergence and development of trade unions in the United States from 1865 to 1992. Features dates. Information includes key pieces of legislation, important events, court cases and more. Below the timeline is a more in-depth timeline featuri...
THE EMERGENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE UNIONS FROM 1865 - 1992
1866 The National Labour Union was formed.
1866 - 67 Iron Founder’s Strike takes place.
1869 Knights of Labour was formed.
The National Negro Labour Union was formed.
1873 The Panic of 1873 - the 1st global depression brought about by industrial capitalism.
1886 Wabash Railroad Strike.
American Federation of Labour was formed.
Haymarket Affair.
1890 Sherman Anti-trust Act.
1892 Homestead Strike.
1894 Pullman Strike.
1905 Industrial Workers of the World (commonly known as Wobblies).
Lochner v New York.
1914 Clayton Anti-Trust Act.
1918-1919 The first National War Labour Board.
1923 Norris de la Guardia Act
1925 Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
1929 Wall Street Crash and the beginning of the Great Depression (1929 - late 1930s)
1933 National Industry Recovery Act (New Deal era).
1935 National Labour Relations Act / Wagner Act (New Deal era)
1937 Congress of Industrial Organisations.
1938 Fair Labour Standards Act.
1941 Fair Employment Practices Commission.
1947 Taft-Hartley / Labour Management Relations Act.
1955 Merger of AFL and CIO.
1963 Equal Pay Act.
1964 Economic Opportunity Act.
1968 Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
1970 Occupational Health and Safety Act.
1972 Coalition of Black Trade Unions.
1981 Professional Air Traffic Controllers Strikes.
, 1865 - 1914:
- At the beginning of the period, trade unions existed but as craft unions for skilled workers only
in a closed shop system (an agreement whereby an employer agrees to hire - and retain in
employment - only persons who are members of the chosen trade union via contract). Such
workers included those who worked in craft industries (eg: shoe makers). This meant that
unskilled workers were exempt from joining these craft unions and as a result were exploited
by employers. Employers had no obligation to recognise trade unions yet alone meet any of
their demands.
- Industrialisation from 1860-1900s meant that there was an increase in unskilled labourers in
the workforce. However, as they couldn’t join trade unions they were exploited by employers
and therefore, started to campaign for increasing labour rights.
❏ The National Labour Union was formed in 1866 by William H Sylvis who campaigned for better
working conditions such as an 8 hour day and equal treatment with the ending of convict
labour. Although a failed Iron Founders’ strike in 1866-7 meant it was viewed as weak, it had
more than 300k members across the USA by 1868. However, this was short-lived as the union
collapsed alongside his death in 1869.
- By the 1880s, 1/3 of the workforce was unskilled labour. Employers used the ‘contract system’
to hire unskilled labourers which resulted in poorer wages than skilled artisans. A bricklayer
earned $3 per hour whereas an unskilled earned $1.
- At this time few workers had any rights in the workplace. They worked under terrible
conditions and were exposed to heavy machinery and vulnerability to disease. By the 1890s,
millions were refrained from having basic labour rights. Employers did not provide any health
insurance although sickness clubs were established to compensate for injuries. The federal
government ruled that employee negligence was a risk in the workplace so it did not challenge
the lack of labour rights.
❏ The Knights of Labour was founded in 1869 by Uriah Smith Stephens. Terence V Powderly was
a very influential leader who wanted to unite skilled and unskilled labourers. However, he
didn’t use activism to promote trade union/labour rights which led to internal divisions as many
workers were unhappy with this passivity. However, during the Wabash Railroad Strike in 1886,
he was forced to use a strike and this increased the KOL’s membership from 20k in 1881 to
700,000 by 1886. This suggests that successful and impactful strike action was critical in its
growth.
- During the 1880s till 1939 there was a ‘slump in the economy’ as a result of the 1873 Wall
Street Crash dubbed the Panic of 1873. This had a positive effect on trade unions as rise in
unemployment and poorer wages agitated many so they could use the context to their
advantage.
❏ In 1886, the American Federation of Labour was formed by Samuel Gompers which replaced
the KOL (Knights of Labour). They worked on practically advancing labour rights by wanting to
increase wages and decrease working hours using legal reform, striking and boycotts. The AFL
had over 2m workers but represented only a small bit of the entire workforce.
❏ The Industrial Workers of the World or the Wobblies was also set up in 1905 by individuals who
sought violence for their aims. Although they wanted to promote fairer working conditions and
stand up for the poor many were arrested and membership only peaked at 100k. In the end,
internal divisions mitigated the union - it was less effective due to militancy and violence. By
1923, the Wobblies had around 100,000 members but went into decline after.
- The Haymarket Affair during 1886 had a serious negative impact on trade union rights. As a
result of the violence, intense racial divisions ensued in the workplace between skilled and
unskilled labourers. The arrival of immigration exacerbated this which limited the progress of
both trade union rights (result of a lack of solidarity) and labour rights (workers were against
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller jasminea2. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £7.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
