How Successful Was Organized Labor in improving the positions of workers in the period from 1875 to 1900?

Topics: Trade union, Strike action, Employment Pages: 4 (1489 words) Published: March 24, 2008
From the period of 1875-1900 organized labor enhanced the position of workers to a certain extent. Organized labor is defined as bunch of workers united as a single who would then bargain with employers to improve economic status and working conditions and through the use of organized labor political standings of workers. Organized labor had a good affect on workers since the hours at work was gradually decreasing due to labor unions while the wages were increasing. Labor groups such as the Knights of Labor and the AFL emerged seeking better rights of labors. The U.S government also passed laws preserving the rights of labors in most cases such as the two Sherman acts that were passed in 1890 but other laws passed were used to keep a stable monopoly of railroad transport. Riots and strikes by labor unions were not a pivotal point to promoting the positions of workers as it actually did the opposite as hoped. Strikes and protests ended up bloody like the Haymarket riot and strike of 1887. It was in the employers best interest to make sure there workers were not participants of any labor unions and if a worker was found to be in one he/she was fired and new labor was brought in due to the mass numbers of immigrants to America from 1860-1920. Working conditions were still unchanged for employees and profits were being brought into employers due to the advancement in technology. Organized labor from 1875-1890 improved the positions of workers only to a certain level.

The success of organized labor and unions helped progress workers politically both to a certain degree. The success of labor unions that played a role on the workers was quite vital as it changed many things in the United States from 1875-1890. Labor unions which evolved during this period are Knights of Labor and AFL some private as well as some non private unions. These unions went to a great extent to make sure workers would no longer be exploited and the result of organized labor on the positions...
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