American Federation of Labor

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    disastrously. Usually a strike would end once the police troops shows up and shots are fired. In the Knights of Labor’s case, the exact same situation occurred at their second railroad strike. The KOL did not believe in strikes and boycotts but educating corporations about the betterment of these changes. Their first movement was deemed a success in gaining their recognition and power. Although, that is their only and last successful movement. Their second movement at Haymarket was non-violent but turns horrific once a bomb goes off provoking the police into shooting protesters. Anyone accused of being apart of the demonstration were either hanged or imprisoned. The railroad strikes were the only important strikes made by the Knights of Labor. The AFL’s method of striking is less radical and destructive and more about compromise. When the separate unions did strike, however, they were always successful in driving away “scabs” which were people who replaced the strikers. Since they were centralized the AFL’s unions would never divide because of the high leadership of their organizers. The AFL was able to convince newspaper industry because of their skilled workmanship and business-like attitude. The IWW who led radical and revolutionary strikes was successful in organizing a diverse group of people. This “one big union” demanded more direct action to get what they want. The Wobblies did in fact win a strike in Nevada, dubbed Miner’s Strike, winning an eight hour workday for…

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    During the 20th century labor unions did destroy the free market by encumbering businesses with regulations essentially penalizing the wealthy for being successful. Reasons such as the Haymarket affair, the Pullman strike, the homestead strike, socialism, progressives, and the A.F.L caused labor unions to destroy the free market. Conflict between unions and management has caused struggle for power in the U.S. Labor unions gave an effort for better wages, reasonable hours and safer working…

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    advancements we take for granted today. B. 1. America is built and founded off labor. A lot of advancement in the workplace today have been won by unions and the efforts of labor organizations. John Lewis founded one of the biggest institutions that is at the forefront of the labor movement, the CIO (Committee for Industrial Organizations, now the Congress of Industrial Organizations.)…

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    Labor unions are an alternative employment method and have been controversial since the beginning. A labor union is a group of workers that form together creating a union and make sure that fair working conditions are set and that employment regulations are met and not broken. Unions are a way for the working class to be heard by big business. Union supporters argue that individual workers are powerless against large businesses and corporations. In order to achieve fair wages and benefits,…

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    Working with the Knights of Labor The successes and failures of the Knights of Labor have generated many controversial issues that have helped shape the North American Labor Movement after the Civil War. The Knight of Labor provided opportunities to many different types of people throughout the United States to have a job and make their own money.. The Knights of Labor was the window of greatness for the United States men and women who were not considered “workforce ready.” The Knights of…

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    a better life for all working men. Gompers pushed to end child labor and a limited workday with manageable working conditions. Samuel Gompers changed the lives of working individuals and with great motivation and preparation, he was able to contribute the eight hour work day, better working conditions, and an end to child labor. Motivation Samuel Gompers had incredible motivation to challenge the working industry to improve the lives of working individuals…

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    Ethics In Labor Unions

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    The Ethics of Labor Unions in the U.S. Labor Unions were formed to fight for the rights of workers. In the U.S. labor unions helped to establish child labor laws, enacted a 5 day work week, health insurance and pensions. They also fought for fair wages. Originally the labor unions of the 1800’s were mostly for craft guilds. They helped to establish workplace standards. With the industrial revolution, these guilds saw factories as a threat to their livelihood. “Unions were formed by these…

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    Afl Cio Observation

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    vein of records management and description. However, time has not been split evenly between them. My main field study project was working with Benjamin Scott Blake, the head labor archivist, on the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) records. The AFL-CIO is the largest federation of unions in the United States. It represents fifty-six unions, both American and international, working together as a national trades union center. Together the unions…

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    ABC History and Geography 1883-1886 By Joel Opificius, Clyde Killingbeck, and AJ Geoit Sponsors: ’The Killen You Tribune’ and ’Fou Chien Fraîche Journal’ G is for Gompers Samuel Gompers was the first leader of the American Federation of Labor or AFL. He helped unions and union member become part of American Society. H is for Hayman Riot It was a strike for an eight hour workday, starting May 1st in Chicago. It eventually become…

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    Unions exist in almost every industry from manufacturing and construction to banking and government. Their objective is to represent workers by acting as a bridge between management and employees. Among other important issues, unions facilitate negotiations for increased wages, benefits, and improved working conditions. While a union’s historical purpose is to offer redress for employer violations of employees’ civil liberties and moral rights the tactics that unions have taken in doing so also…

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