Trade union and labour rights – Key Dates, Figures/Groups, Stats, Acts and Case Studies:
1860s – Unions that existed were to protect those in skilled or craft industries. The idea of strength in
numbers was ignored.
1865 – Government took a mostly laissez-faire policy in the economy which favoured employers,
allowing figures like John Rockefeller (US Businessman who controlled 90% of US oil
refineries) and Andrew Carnegie (controlled 25% of US iron and steel production) to build up
large industrial enterprises and so manufacturers could exploit employees and deny them a
voice to complain.
1869 - Knights of Labor (KOL) founded
1873 – Molly Maguires were a group of Irish immigrant miners who wanted better working
conditions. Used violence such as derailing railway carriages and even murder. Many
therefore reluctant to join.
Gilded Age (1875-96):
- Steel Production rose from around 1 million tons to 10 million tons during this period.
- Unskilled workers made up 35% of the workforce. Earned around 33% of what skilled
workers did. Bricklayers earned $3 a day, but unskilled labourers made a mere $1.30
- Membership of the KOL reached 700000 by 1886 having only 20000 5 years earlier due to
things like the Wabash Railroad strike.
- Reputation of the KOL fell apart after the disastrous Haymarket Affair. Only 100000 members
by 1890.
- Wages rose some 60% during this period potentially due to the increase in transport and
heavy industry causing a rise in the need for labour, which the USA took control of.
- Just 2% of the population had around 30% of the wealth
- Wages of unskilled workers just 30% of skilled workers wages.
- Economy slump at end of 80s weakened worker’s positions due to unemployment and a
reduction in wages.
1886 – Haymarket Affair was a strike at the McCormick Harvester Plant in Chicago which resulted in
violence between police and strikers. 7 policemen killed and 4 workers killed in retaliation.
Blamed on German immigrants. KOL reputation destroyed and people joined AFL and
Wobblies.
American Federation of Labor (AFL) Founded
1889 – 2000 rail workers killed in accidents.
1890s – Arrival of AAs in the labour market saw white workers laid off to fire AAs for cheaper wages.
Unions refused to accept them, affecting the size and influence of the unions. Made it easier
to exploit workers.
1890 - Sherman Anti-Trust Act was an attempt to restrict monopolies by which large companies
were able to control a trade. Example of government intervention in the economy.
Reputation of the KOL fell apart after the disastrous Haymarket Affair. Only 100000 members
by 1890.
1892 – Homestead strike most famous violent strike between Amalgamated Association of Iron and
Steel Workers and the Carnegie Steel Company. Dispute lasted 143 days and finished with
battle between strikers and Pinkertons (Private Security Firm). Henry Frick stabbed when
trying to break the union. Strike broke the union and membership fell from 24,000 (1891) to
10,000 (1894). Steel companies didn’t unionise until 1900. Carnegie not until 1932.
1894 – Pullman strike developed from employer’s refusal to recognise worker rights to use collective
Bargaining to protect their living and working conditions. President Carnegie sent in some
2000 federal troops to break up the strike and 4 workers were killed. Omnibus Indictment Act
created to prohibit strikers and workers’ representatives from persuading other to strike.
1900 – The number of industrial workers had grown to 3.2 million from 885000 in 1860.
1903 – Women’s Trade Union League established and led by Mary Kenny O’Sullivan and Rose
Schneiderman. Aimed to encourage women to organise themselves into unions. Also involved
1860s – Unions that existed were to protect those in skilled or craft industries. The idea of strength in
numbers was ignored.
1865 – Government took a mostly laissez-faire policy in the economy which favoured employers,
allowing figures like John Rockefeller (US Businessman who controlled 90% of US oil
refineries) and Andrew Carnegie (controlled 25% of US iron and steel production) to build up
large industrial enterprises and so manufacturers could exploit employees and deny them a
voice to complain.
1869 - Knights of Labor (KOL) founded
1873 – Molly Maguires were a group of Irish immigrant miners who wanted better working
conditions. Used violence such as derailing railway carriages and even murder. Many
therefore reluctant to join.
Gilded Age (1875-96):
- Steel Production rose from around 1 million tons to 10 million tons during this period.
- Unskilled workers made up 35% of the workforce. Earned around 33% of what skilled
workers did. Bricklayers earned $3 a day, but unskilled labourers made a mere $1.30
- Membership of the KOL reached 700000 by 1886 having only 20000 5 years earlier due to
things like the Wabash Railroad strike.
- Reputation of the KOL fell apart after the disastrous Haymarket Affair. Only 100000 members
by 1890.
- Wages rose some 60% during this period potentially due to the increase in transport and
heavy industry causing a rise in the need for labour, which the USA took control of.
- Just 2% of the population had around 30% of the wealth
- Wages of unskilled workers just 30% of skilled workers wages.
- Economy slump at end of 80s weakened worker’s positions due to unemployment and a
reduction in wages.
1886 – Haymarket Affair was a strike at the McCormick Harvester Plant in Chicago which resulted in
violence between police and strikers. 7 policemen killed and 4 workers killed in retaliation.
Blamed on German immigrants. KOL reputation destroyed and people joined AFL and
Wobblies.
American Federation of Labor (AFL) Founded
1889 – 2000 rail workers killed in accidents.
1890s – Arrival of AAs in the labour market saw white workers laid off to fire AAs for cheaper wages.
Unions refused to accept them, affecting the size and influence of the unions. Made it easier
to exploit workers.
1890 - Sherman Anti-Trust Act was an attempt to restrict monopolies by which large companies
were able to control a trade. Example of government intervention in the economy.
Reputation of the KOL fell apart after the disastrous Haymarket Affair. Only 100000 members
by 1890.
1892 – Homestead strike most famous violent strike between Amalgamated Association of Iron and
Steel Workers and the Carnegie Steel Company. Dispute lasted 143 days and finished with
battle between strikers and Pinkertons (Private Security Firm). Henry Frick stabbed when
trying to break the union. Strike broke the union and membership fell from 24,000 (1891) to
10,000 (1894). Steel companies didn’t unionise until 1900. Carnegie not until 1932.
1894 – Pullman strike developed from employer’s refusal to recognise worker rights to use collective
Bargaining to protect their living and working conditions. President Carnegie sent in some
2000 federal troops to break up the strike and 4 workers were killed. Omnibus Indictment Act
created to prohibit strikers and workers’ representatives from persuading other to strike.
1900 – The number of industrial workers had grown to 3.2 million from 885000 in 1860.
1903 – Women’s Trade Union League established and led by Mary Kenny O’Sullivan and Rose
Schneiderman. Aimed to encourage women to organise themselves into unions. Also involved
