The Rise of Labor Unions

Summary

In the late 19th century, as industrialization replaced agrarian lifestyles, American workers faced long hours, low wages, and dangerous conditions. This led to the rise of labor movements, starting with the creation of the Knights of Labor in 1869, an inclusive union of unions. Despite its initial influence and large membership, the Knights' significance dwindled by 1886 after a failed strike. In its place, the American Federation of Labor (AFL), led by Samuel Gompers, focused on practical, "bread-and-butter" issues such as fair wages and shorter hours. The AFL became a lasting force in labor advocacy, eventually merging with the Congress of Industrial Organizations in 1955 to form the AFL-CIO, a pivotal entity in American labor today.

Highlights

• The Knights of Labor emerged as a union of unions, open to almost everyone except some professionals. 🎩
• Despite a powerful start, the Knights' influence faded after a failed railroad strike. 🚂
• The AFL, under Samuel Gompers, emphasized direct worker benefits like wages and working conditions. 💼
• In 1955, the AFL merged with CIO, marking a significant moment in labor history with the creation of AFL-CIO. 🔄

Key Takeaways

• The transition from farms to factories in America led to the formation of labor unions. 🏭
• The Knights of Labor was one of the first national labor organizations, promoting inclusive membership. 🤝
• The decline of the Knights gave rise to the more pragmatic American Federation of Labor led by Samuel Gompers. 📉➡️📈
• The AFL focused on essential worker rights and merged with the Congress of Industrial Organizations to form AFL-CIO. 🇺🇸🛠️

Overview

In the late 1800s, America was buzzing with the hum of new factories, leaving the pastoral life of small businesses and farms behind. As industrialization quickened its pace, labor unions began cropping up to address the harsh realities workers faced. One of the earliest and most notable was the Knights of Labor, which, unlike others at that time, opened its doors wide, excluding only a select group of professionals. Their aim? To reform and bring fairness across the industrial workforce.

However, the road to change hit bumps. The Knights' ambitious goals took a hit when a railroad strike didn't go as planned, marking the start of their decline in influence. Around the same time, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) was on the rise, steered by the pragmatic Samuel Gompers. Gompers' focus on straightforward, essential labor interests like safer work environments and fair pay resonated well, steering the union to success.

This evolution of labor unions didn't just stop. In 1955, a significant merger with the Congress of Industrial Organizations gave birth to the AFL-CIO, which carried the torches of its predecessor unions into modern times. Today, this massive labor organization continues to advocate for workers' rights, standing as a monument to the enduring legacy and evolution of labor unions in America.

The Rise of Labor Unions Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 as America's industrial economy grew in the late 19th century factories replaced farms and workers struggled with long hours low wages and dangerous working conditions at mills mines and railroads across the country workers soon began to organize unions 1870 is an important turning point the census reveals for the first time that the majority of American men work for a living work for someone
• 00:30 - 01:00 else so this old America of small businesses and farms is just starting to disappear by the 1880s things were moving very quickly and industrialization was underway there were all kinds of new labor movements popping up one of the first attempts to create a national labor organization started in 1869 with an umbrella group called the noble order of the Knights of Labor unlike most other organizations that excluded women and certain types of workers the Knights of Labor was open to
• 01:00 - 01:30 almost everyone it's essentially a union of unions and eventually has hundreds of member unions eventually a membership of almost 700,000 by 1886 1887 and becomes a very influential force and trying to compel employers and politicians who have the power to regulate business to get them to adopt more humane working conditions better wages shorter hours the Knights of Labor is designed to
• 01:30 - 02:00 protect workers independence and it's designed to be open to everyone there are only four kinds of people who are excluded from membership in the Knights of Labor bankers lawyers liquor dealers and professional gamblers so the Knights initially had lofty goals to reform the American economy its power began to fade in 1886 after a railroad company squashed the workers effort to strike as the Knights role in the labor movement was shrinking another
• 02:00 - 02:30 organization called the American Federation of Labor or AFL was gaining strength it was led by cigar maker Samuel Gompers Gompers was a key figure and he could have stepped away from some of the visionary goals of the Knights of Labor who really wanted to transform society in a lot of ways and he said really it's about bread-and-butter issues it's about short hours higher wages better conditions and that's it and the AFL was very successful in a lot of ways successful and long-standing after
• 02:30 - 03:00 merging with the Congress of Industrial Organizations in 1955 the AFL became the afl-cio and continues to be a key force in the American labor movement today [Music]