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 * “Workers of the World, Unite!”** - //Karl Marx//

Since the Middle Ages, workers have fought for better working conditions and wages, but it was not until the late 1800’s that labor unions became a powerful force in America. During this time, the work force grew dramatically because of immigration. Many people moved to the cities where they could get work in the new factories, where they received pay for what they produced, instead of how long they worked. All of the cheap labor at these sweatshops lowered the price of many goods, but most workers still could not afford them. Workers began to get resentful of the rich factory owners that lived in luxury, while they went hungry. The labor union movement grew in the Progressive Era, but it grew slowly, because the employers would issue injunctions to prevent them from going on strike. The unions continued to fight together though, instead of individually. Some workers began turning to socialism, where wealth was equally spread out to everyone. One of the most prominent activists for human rights was Karl Marx, who proposed socialism as a solution to labor rights. While many Americans opposed socialism, it did influence many labor unions that formed to demand better rights and wages for workers. Some early labor unions included The Knights of Labor, The National Labor Union, and The American Federation of Labor. All of these unions focused mainly on the issue of working conditions, and some included increased wages and an end to child labor. Of course, labor unions appealed to most workers, however, employers feared and disliked unions. They did not want to have to pay higher wages and other union demands, because they would make less money. They took measures to stop unions, including firing union leaders, refusing to recognize unions and forcing new employees to sign contracts saying they would not join labor unions. Through various methods, mainly strikes, workers managed to accomplish some of their goals, but it was not until the International Labour Union was formed in 1919 that workers rights legislation was enforced. The ILO became incorporated into the United Nations, which then created several articles in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights that protected workers rights. These included giving workers the right to fair working conditions and form labor unions, rights that are still in place today.
 * __Historical Roots and Development__**

Samuel Gompers founded the American Federation of Labor, which was a national union in the 1880’s. They focused on the issues of wages, working hours and conditions. Gompers and the AFL also relied on using strikes and boycotts to force the employers to negotiate, or lose money. Terence Powderly was the leader of the Knights of Labor, a very diverse union that worked for reforms like the eight hour workday and an end to child labor. While the Knights lost power by the 1890’s, their ideas inspired a lot of new labor rights leaders. Mary Harris Jones became a very prominent workers rights leader during the Progressive Era. She became interested in improving working conditions after learning about the Knights of Labor.”Mother Jones”, as she became known, traveled across the country helping organize trade unions. Rose Schneiderman became one of the nation’s most well known labor leaders. After the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, she helped create a lot of support for better working conditions. She was one of many who tried to create a larger role for government involvement in protecting workers rights. Florence Kelley was another woman reform leader. After reporting on local working conditions, a law was passed in Illinois banning child labor. She later led the National Consumers’ League, which continued to put an end to child labor and protect the rights of workers. Eugene V. Debs was an early union leader, and one of the most well known socialists in the U.S. He was involved with organizing several unions, including the Industrial Workers of the World. Asa Philip Randolph organized and led one of the first mostly black labor unions. The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters became a strong organization to gain better working conditions for African Americans. Dolores Huerta was another noted civil rights activist who campaigned for workers rights. She co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which allowed farmers to become involved with enterprises to sell their goods.
 * __People Involved__**

David M. Parry was involved in the anti-union movement, and spoke very critical of organized labor. He began advising employers to begin forming a great national anti-union federation, which he became leader of. He has fought against labor unions for years. Nathan Shefferman formed the first national labor busting agency, the Labor Relations Associates of Chicago. He worked to stop unions by stopping them from being formed with worker contracts. Employers made up most of the anti-union movement. They tried everything they could to stop labor unions and prevent them from striking to get what they wanted.

One movement that shared similar goals with the workers rights movement was women's rights. Both groups worked to gain better conditions in the workplace and end child labor. Protesting from both groups led to the creation of the Children’s Bureau, and Women’s Bureau, both of which supported laws that would benefit women and children in the workplace. Women’s and workers rights leaders gained a lot of public support, especially after the Triangle Shirtwaist Incident, where a building burned down and 146 people died because the working conditions were so bad. This led to a lot of new measures being taken to make workplaces safer. Another movement related to the labor movement was the anti-establishment movement. Both of these movements rebelled against the “Establishment,” which was the dominant class of society, including business owners that the labor unions fought against. Since labor unions were first formed, most employers reacted negatively. They did all that they could to try and stop them. This began the formation of the anti-unionism movement, which worked to prevent the formation and goals of labor unions. Also known as Union Busters, this movement has constantly competed with labor rights groups to continue to make money while attempting to prevent strikes.
 * __Connections__**

The labor rights movement has come a long way from where it was at the end of the 18th century. Actions by the labor movement have led to important reforms and rights that we take for granted, including minimum wage, the two-day weekend, and the 8 hour workday. Many of the historical labor rights activists caused a lot of the changes that are in place today. Labor unions were a powerful force in America, however, they may not be as prominent in the future. While labor rights are definitely important, and will continue to be, the unions that enforce and fight for them may not be in the future. The labor movement has been in a decline for a few decades now, and is continuing to lose support. Most recently, as the economy has been faltering, unions have lost much public support. While they did benefit workers rights, they have also lowered the United States overall competitiveness in global markets. One reason for the decline could be that employers are treating workers better. This would cause less of a need for unionization. Although the movement itself may not be as strong in the next 20 years or so, the changes it caused in the labor system will be. In a quote by Samuel Gompers, “That so long as man shall live and have his being, so long as there shall dwell in the human heart a desire for something better and nobler, so long as there is in the human mind the germ of the belief in human justice and human liberty, so long as there is in the whole makeup of a man a desire to be a brother to his fellow-man, so long will there be a labor movement.” -//Samuel Gompers//
 * __Present and Future__**

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 * __Works Cited__**

Cayton, Andrew R. L., Elisabeth Israels. Perry, Linda Reed, and Allan M. Winkler. //Prentice Hall America: Pathways to the Present//. Boston, MA: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007. Print.

"Labour Movement." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 Aug. 2012. Web. 09 May 2012. [].

"Labor Rights." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 July 2012. Web. 09 May 2012. [].

"Union Busting." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 June 2012. Web. 10 May 2012. <[]>.