Labor Movement

Definition

The labor movement refers to the collective efforts of workers to improve their working conditions, wages, and rights through organized activities such as unions, strikes, and political advocacy. It emerged as a response to the industrialization and urbanization of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which led to the exploitation of workers and the need for collective action.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The labor movement played a crucial role in the Progressive Era, advocating for reforms such as the minimum wage, the eight-hour workday, and safer working conditions.
2. Key figures in the labor movement include Samuel Gompers, founder of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), and Eugene V. Debs, a prominent socialist and labor activist.
3. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, which killed over 100 workers, was a major catalyst for the labor movement's push for improved workplace safety.
4. The Wagner Act of 1935 (also known as the National Labor Relations Act) protected the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively, leading to a surge in union membership.
5. The labor movement faced significant opposition from business leaders, who often used tactics like strikebreakers, injunctions, and the deployment of private security forces to suppress union activities.

Review Questions

• Describe the key goals and strategies of the labor movement during the Progressive Era.
  • The labor movement during the Progressive Era sought to improve working conditions, increase wages, and secure basic rights for workers. Key strategies included organizing trade unions, engaging in collective bargaining, and staging strikes to pressure employers and the government to enact reforms. The labor movement played a crucial role in advocating for the minimum wage, the eight-hour workday, and workplace safety regulations, among other progressive reforms.
• Explain the significance of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in the history of the labor movement.
  • The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, which killed over 100 workers, was a major catalyst for the labor movement's push for improved workplace safety. The tragedy highlighted the dangerous working conditions that many workers faced and galvanized public support for the labor movement's demands. It led to increased pressure on employers and the government to implement stricter safety regulations and better protect the rights of workers, further strengthening the labor movement's influence and legitimacy.
• Analyze the impact of the Wagner Act on the labor movement and its relationship with the federal government.
  • The Wagner Act of 1935, also known as the National Labor Relations Act, was a landmark piece of legislation that protected the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively. This law represented a significant shift in the federal government's stance towards the labor movement, as it recognized the legitimacy of unions and their role in promoting worker rights. The Wagner Act led to a surge in union membership and strengthened the labor movement's ability to negotiate with employers, while also establishing a framework for resolving labor disputes. This closer relationship between the labor movement and the federal government during the Progressive Era reflected the growing influence and political power of organized labor.

Related terms

Trade Unions:

Associations of workers who unite to promote and protect their common interests, such as better wages, working conditions, and benefits.

Collective Bargaining:

The process of negotiation between employers and a group of employees, represented by a union, to determine the conditions of employment.

Strike: A work stoppage organized by a group of employees as a form of protest or to pressure an employer to meet their demands.