History of Labor Policies in US
The history of labor policies in the United States dates many years ago from the nineteenth century. During this period, the country faced many labor crises that were marred by many strikes by laborers who sought better working conditions and pay rise. According to Dubofsky and Dulles (p. 102) in the 1870s, there were many strikes from workers. For instance, railway workers had spontaneous uprising that witnessed many deaths from widespread rioting. In the 1870s, the labor history of the United States witnessed movements such as the Knights of Labor, which brought workers together and led strikes against low wages and poor working conditions.
However, this movement toppled because of increased unionism in the country. Lack of efficient leadership and decreased membership to the movement significantly contributed to its downfall. The American Federation of Labor led by Samuel Gompers followed and enjoyed large membership from the working class (Dubofsky & Dulles, p. 139). The main purpose of the American Federation of Labor was to organize the skilled workers into unions that could represent the voice of the workers. However, it did not address the issues of the unskilled workers.
In the twentieth century, the wages and working conditions of many workers in the industries and firms continued to raise many questions. Young children worked in many industries at the onset of industrialization in the 1820s (Rees & Pollack, p. 73). Many children worked in the textile mills and coal mines. Involvement of children in working reveals that the country lacked a policy framework banning child labor. Consequently, the health of many children was at great danger following the work they attended to in the industries. Young boys working in the Glass industry faced many health problems due to the night shifts work in the industry. Rees and Pollack (p. 73) explain that this practice ended when the state passed the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938.
Accidents in the industries were frequent, and the workers faced many death risks at work. The Triangle Shirtwaist fire of 1911 claimed the lives of 146 nonunionized workers. Consequently, the Federal government made policies governing the health well being of the workers felt to be at risk (Rees & Pollack, p. 78). The twentieth century saw the passing of many acts that addressed the working conditions, wages and the security of workers. According to me, the Wagener Act was the most important.
President Franklin passed Wagener’s Act also referred to as National Labor Relations Act in 1935. Consequently, many workers joined unions that bargained for better wages and better working conditions. The working class could also join health plans, which were not there during the earlier times.
Two main events occurred during the early and mid-twentieth century, which had an enormous effect on the working people and the economy of United States in general. The World War II and the Great Depression greatly affected the economy of US. The World War II led to the increase in the number of black women working in the Textile industry of Lowell. The increase in number of women working resulted from the high demand for labor and the white male worker failed to provide it fully. Before the war, many black women were restricted to the home service jobs. According to Karen (p. 386), such restriction resulted to great prejudice in the employment sector. The World War II led to the increase in the number of black workers in the industries. The black women were in the night shifts at work unlike before the war when they worked during the day. According to Karen (p. 388), an increase in the number of workers improved the country’s production.
The other event that occurred was the Great Depression. Prior to the Great Depression, women had gained a lot in terms of development. Many women graduated from colleges and joined the labor market as doctors, pilots among other professions. The image of women in the face of the US changed and, therefore, many women left homes to work in the industries two decades after the twentieth century (Harvey, 2009). However, great economic crisis followed what seemed like a success in development. During this period, businesses collapsed, families lost their savings, the prices to living escalated leaving many Americans with no food and permanent housing. More banks and factories closed down, and consequently many people lost their jobs (Gourley, p. 11).
The Great Depression had the biggest impact on the working class of the Americans. The closure of many factories and industries resulted in the loss of jobs for many workers, placing a significant effect on many workers. The long queues of many people waiting for the relief food evidence the significant impact this had on many workers. Women lost their jobs from the remaining firms. Women united and highly opposed to the idea of sending them home.
Many women delayed marriages and remained at homes to help their families raise their income. The married couples delayed bearing children since they lacked enough money to take care of their kids. The leisure activities of many Americans changed in which they remained at home because of the high cost of attending entertainment areas. Gourley (p. 17) argue that many families involved in the Monopoly game played at their homes.
Works cited
Anderson, Karen T. “Last Hired, First Fired: Black Women Workers During World War II.” Women and war. Ed. Cott, Nancy, F. Munich ; New Providence, 1993. 386-402. Print.
Dubofsky, Melvyn, and Foster R. Dulles. Labor in America: A History. Wheeling, Ill: Harlan Davidson, 2010. Print
Gourley, Catherine. Rosie and Mrs. America: Perceptions of Women in the 193s and 194s. Vol. 3. Twenty-First Century Books, 2008.
Harvey, Sheridan. “Rosie the Riveter: Real Women Workers in World War II.” Online video clip. Youtube. Youtube, 10 Feb. 2009. Web. 18 July 2010.
Rees, Jonathan, and Jonathan Z. S. Pollack. The Voice of the People: Primary Sources on the History of American Labor, Industrial Relations, and Working-Class Culture. Wheeling, Ill: Harlan Davidson, 2004. Print.