Question

Trends in United States Unionization

Write a paragraph on each of the following:

• The Origins (the early 1800s and prior)
• The Early Labor Movement (the mid-1800s to 1900)
• The Changing of the Labor Movement (1900 - 1950)
• The Decline of Union Membership (1950-2000)
• Present Day Unions (2000-Present Day)

Answer 1

The Origins (the early 1800s and prior):

The origins of the labor union lay in the formative years of the United States, when a free labor-wage market emerged in the trades with artisan late in the colonial period. In 1768 the earliest strike is recorded when journeymen tailors of New York protested a reduction in wages.

The Early Labor Movement (the mid-1800s to 1900):

As the industrial economy grew in United States’ grew in late 1800s, conflict between factory owners and workers became increasingly frequent and many time led to violence. In 1866 the National Labor Union (NLU) was founded in the United States. It became the first large-scale national union; and the main motive to unite workers from a numerous trades in a federation, or network, of many national and local unions.

Changing of the Labor Movement (1900 - 1950):

In United States during early 1930s when the country slid toward the depression depths; the future of organized labor seemed bleak. In the nation the initial increase of labor unions occurred during the Great Depression (1930’s), which has steadily fall over time. The decline in labor union participation was noticed globally also, especially in recent years. The number of members of labor union in 1933 was nearly 3 million, in comparison to 5 million a decade before. In this period the future of labor unions looked grim however there was a soon change of fortune when National Industrial Recovery Act (1933) allowed for collective bargaining. The National Labor Relations Act, also termed to be Wagner Act (1935) required entities to bargain in honest faith with any union supported mainly of their employees. The Congress of Industrial Organizations split became very aggressive and from the AFL for organizing unskilled labors who were earlier not been represented.

Decline of Union Membership (1950-2000):

The fall of Union Membership started in 1947 when Congress passed many changes to the National labor Relations Act which had provided bargaining power to labor during the Depression via the Wagner Act. The new law was known as the Taft Hartley Act of 1947; and it opened the gates for what employers were permitted to do.

Present Day Unions (2000-Present Day):

During 2000s union power began to decline in. As additional laws were passed mandating equal pay for equal work regardless of gender or race and outlawing child labor; unions became less significant in present day to workers who more rely on federal laws for their protection.