Union Action

Question 1

What period witnessed a great deal of union and labour unrest as workers fought for recognition?

Answer 1

1865 to 1992

This period was marked by significant struggles for workers’ rights and recognition.

Question 2

Employers set up their own unions to counter their workers joining organisations they did not control. True or False?

Answer 2

TRUE

Employers often took measures to undermine workers’ unions.

Question 3

What is scab labour also known as?

Answer 3

strikebreakers

Scab labour refers to people hired specifically to work during strikes.

Question 4

The Molly Maguires incident in 1873 discouraged some workers from joining unions due to what?

Answer 4

Union violence

The violence associated with the Molly Maguires led to a reluctance among workers to join unions.

Question 5

The Haymarket Affair occurred in which year?

Answer 5

1886

This incident involved violence at the McCormick Harvester Plant in Chicago.

Question 6

Who was the Mexican American farm worker that helped establish the United Farm Workers (UFW) union?

Answer 6

Cesar Chavez

Chavez’s campaign of non-violence won public support for farmworkers.

Question 7

By what year had Cesar Chavez helped establish the California Agricultural Relations Board?

Answer 7

1975

This board was created to oversee collective bargaining for farm labourers.

Question 8

The Homestead Steel Strike in 1892 lasted how many days?

Answer 8

143 days

This strike ended with a violent confrontation between strikers and the Pinkerton National Detective Agency.

Question 9

Union membership peaked at 19.8 million in what year?

Answer 9

1980

This peak was influenced by the growth in employment and the unionisation of farmworkers.

Question 10

What was the trend in the number of strikes from 1950 to 1990?

Answer 10

Declined

The number of workers striking dropped significantly during this period.

Question 11

In what year did trade union membership reach 3,401,000?

Answer 11

1935

This was part of the growth in union membership during the 1930s.

Question 12

Employers often called on the federal government for support during strikes. True or False?

Answer 12

TRUE

Employers maintained a hard line towards workers and sought government intervention.

Question 13

What did Henry Ford use to intimidate and attack potential union organisers?

Answer 13

Security men

Ford’s tactics included the use of intimidation against union organisers.

Question 14

The Pullman Company refused to recognise the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters until what year?

Answer 14

1934

This change came about due to a change in the law.