union unity Flashcards
why were divisions bad
much easier for the government or employers to restrict the position of unions if workers were divided
skilled&unskilled
1860s unions that existed for
Skilled workers
skilled&unskilled
1860s unions ignore idea of ‘strength through numbers’
no unskilled/AA/women allowed to join
why is small membership bad
limits pressure workers can exert on employers/gov e.g. for wages/better working conditions
skilled&unskilled
division still evident during New Deal?
large number of unskilled workers still denied rights
organisations e.g. AFL more concerned with protecting and unifying skilled unions
skilled&unskilled
when could more solidarity be seen
1930s
skilled&unskilled
what happens in 1935
some unions break away from AFL
was more interested in skilled workers than unskilled workers
skilled&unskilled
splitting from AFL became
Congress of Industrial Organizations 1937
skilled&unskilled
splitting from AFL to form CIO =
unskilled workers given representation
establish unions in many of new mass-production industries
when did AFL merge with CIO AFL-CIO
1955
AFL-CIO
membership?
% of union membership unified?
16 million
85%
why did AFL CIO merge in 1955?
unions recognised greater solidarity = best way to protect their interest
ALSO changes in economy = workers under increasing pressure
Post ww2
change in American economy =
increase jobs in white collar industry
decrease in jobs in blue collar industry
post ww2
why does proportion of workers in unions fall
white collar workers less likely to join union
more willing to sign no strike agreements
post ww2
1960 % of workers in unions
31%
post ww2
why were white collar workers less interested in joining unions?
well paid
enjoyed benefits e.g. pensions and healthcare schemes
post ww2
success of merger of AFL and CIO (60s)?
despite changes in economy…
AFL-CIO secure benefits for members e.g opportunities for workers to voice grievances
wages of union workers 20% higher than non union workers
ethnic divisions
how did they empower employers
could exploit divisions and employ for low wages in poor conditions
ethnic divisions
concern of white workers?
AA & european and asian immigrants
taking jobs/working for lower rates of pay
ethnic divisions
concern of white workers =
unions don’t allow ethnic groups to join
especially in early period
abolition of slavery =
many AA join industrial workforce
white workers unwilling to work with AA
abolition of slavery
white workers refusal to work with AA =
employers lay off white workers and replace with AA at times of industrial unrest
abolition of slavery
employers able to lay off white workers =
ability to strike limited - feared they’d be replaced
employers sack workers who attempt action=potential union leaders gone
20th century
- why was it hard for porters to organise effective action during pullman strike of
- struggle for recognition of porters lasts until
- many affiliates of AFL excluded AA
2. 1937
