In present day, only one out of five union members are female (Milkman). Unions help workers get fair treatment. This was true even in the 1800s, the time period when the women’s labor movement began. This will explore a part of the women's labor movement, why it happened, and what the effects were. In the 1800s women began to form unions and protest. One of these women was Kate Mullaney, a union leader of the Collar Laundry Union. "Mullaney was a Irishwoman from Troy, New York, who gathered together 300 other commercial laundry workers to organize against dangerous conditions and low pay" (Wayne). These protest were common during this time, especially for women. Kate Mullaney was an union leader who did a number protest and walk outs during
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One example of the bad working conditions workers had to endure was the long hours they worked. Some textile workers had to go through this by way of the Lowell system. "The morning waking bell rang at 4:30 A.M., long before sunrise. By 6:00 or 6:30 A.M., all workers were at the mill. They had half-hour breaks for breakfast and lunch but otherwise worked through a 13-and-a-half-hour day" (the Lowell Girls). This was only one part of the system, they also had to live in dormitories, and young girls had to be supervised. At first these conditions did not bother the workers that much, but as time went on they began to get over worked. Another example of bad working conditions was the low wages the workers received. "As wages and working conditions got worse, those who had any alternatives left the mills. Their places were taken by new immigrants and people who were so poor that they had no choice" (The Lowell Girls). As time went on, mills and factories gained more employees. They began to value their workers less, and paid them less. They did this because they knew the workers would either stay, or they could find someone to replace them with. These are some of the reasons why women formed unions and protested. These unions and protests had may …show more content…
One of these effects was an investigation taking place at some of the Lowell factories. The Investigation took place on February 13, 1845, but even with some workers testifying that the bad working conditions has worsened their health, the petition for a 10-hour workday was denied (Lowell Female Labor Reform Association). Even though the petition initially failed some groups tried again. In 1846 the Lowell Female Labor Reform Association and the New England Workingman's Association tried another 10-hour workday petition, but it to was denied. Finally in 1847 the 10-hour workday petition was approved and mandated. Another effect was caused by Kate Mullaney's union, which effect the amount of pay they received. "The union staged a series of strikes and walk outs throughout the 1860s and within just a few short years of its founding, the laundry workers saw an increase in wages from approximately $4 per week to an astonishing $14 per week" (Wayne). This was a big change for many of the women who protested. Also, protests and unions like these also inspired other female workers to stand up and ask for raises or improved working conditions. The women's labor movement had a variety of effects on the working conditions and pay of women during this time
One example of the bad working conditions workers had to endure was the long hours they worked. Some textile workers had to go through this by way of the Lowell system. "The morning waking bell rang at 4:30 A.M., long before sunrise. By 6:00 or 6:30 A.M., all workers were at the mill. They had half-hour breaks for breakfast and lunch but otherwise worked through a 13-and-a-half-hour day" (the Lowell Girls). This was only one part of the system, they also had to live in dormitories, and young girls had to be supervised. At first these conditions did not bother the workers that much, but as time went on they began to get over worked. Another example of bad working conditions was the low wages the workers received. "As wages and working conditions got worse, those who had any alternatives left the mills. Their places were taken by new immigrants and people who were so poor that they had no choice" (The Lowell Girls). As time went on, mills and factories gained more employees. They began to value their workers less, and paid them less. They did this because they knew the workers would either stay, or they could find someone to replace them with. These are some of the reasons why women formed unions and protested. These unions and protests had may …show more content…
One of these effects was an investigation taking place at some of the Lowell factories. The Investigation took place on February 13, 1845, but even with some workers testifying that the bad working conditions has worsened their health, the petition for a 10-hour workday was denied (Lowell Female Labor Reform Association). Even though the petition initially failed some groups tried again. In 1846 the Lowell Female Labor Reform Association and the New England Workingman's Association tried another 10-hour workday petition, but it to was denied. Finally in 1847 the 10-hour workday petition was approved and mandated. Another effect was caused by Kate Mullaney's union, which effect the amount of pay they received. "The union staged a series of strikes and walk outs throughout the 1860s and within just a few short years of its founding, the laundry workers saw an increase in wages from approximately $4 per week to an astonishing $14 per week" (Wayne). This was a big change for many of the women who protested. Also, protests and unions like these also inspired other female workers to stand up and ask for raises or improved working conditions. The women's labor movement had a variety of effects on the working conditions and pay of women during this time