The history of labor in the United States was always quite tumultuous. Children working by the time they were kindergarden age. Women only permitted to work until they were married, IF they were permitted to work. Black people, once emancipated, were liberated through their ability to work. However, their jobs usually consisted of low-level, unskilled work that not only paid very little but was also rife with racist undertones and discriminatory practices.
The Irish and Chinese built railroads and canals.
Hispanics fought for the right to unionize farm labor, but were always given the menial tasks for the most minimal of pay.
The Irish and Italians were barred from most east-coast factories at the start of the 20th century, with “NINA” a common sign outside most locations. (No Irish Need Apply)
Once the unions entered the picture, their anger reached revolutionary levels, fighting for a 10-hour day, a 6-day work week, better pay, healthier and safer working conditions, and a more liveable existence.
But, they were met with both business and governmental resistance as their strikes grew in greatness.
Factories would commonly chain doors shut to prevent union members from coming in to “tarnish” the minds of their workers, but also to keep workers IN the factories (freedom equated laziness and low output).
And, when unions did penetrate factories, workers who complied with union demands or participated in strikes or work-outs would either be fired, harassed, or in extreme cases, killed.
Over the course of American history… our workforce has evolved from an agriculturally-based minimally-industrial economy to fully-evolved industrialization, to war-time industry, to a struggling economy that has high unemployment rates as industry outsources its labor and production to 3rd world countries because then it would enable the owners to make even MORE money… but, putting quantity ahead of quality.
So, while you’re grilling burgers (or tofu) and drinking a beer with friends, family or by yourself, remember why we have these holidays.
This one, in particular, was officiated around the 1890s… giving the workers (who mostly worked 12-16 hr days, 6-7 days a week, without sick pay/days, or insurance) a day OFF… so they could relax.
Relax. Enjoy. Take a moment to think about those who are working today… to serve you so that you can have a day of rest…. Gas station attendants, convenience store clerks, police/fire/emergency services, taxis, doctors and nurses in hospitals, and those trying to just make ends meet.
Here are some pictures that serve as a reminder that the labor movement has really evolved from where it was 25, 50, 100, 200 years ago. Enjoy!
CHILD LABOR IN FACTORY
TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FACTORY (before the fire that killed hundreds of women workers who were barred into their workareas to avoid them escaping and skirting out on work… as a result, doors can no longer be chained shut, but that doesn’t stop factory owners from doing it)
Sweatshop prior to the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire in NYC.
Another area of the factory before the fire in 1911
The newspapers showed the public the result of this horrific fire. The media made sure that events such as this frequented the public eye, probably in an attempt to get a reaction out of the American public.
A STANDOFF between the police and striking workers in Lawrence, KS
In the end, which is more important? Making money or enjoying your job?
I’d opt for the fair and ethnical treatment of workers… not just in the United States, but also in those 3rd world countries that now house a growing percentage of what we see as “former” American labor. Places such as India, Indonesia, Mexico (sorry, but I don’t consider them more than 2nd or 3rd world), China, Pakistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Africa have been struggling under the leadership of oppressive rulers, absentee leaders, or strict legal constructs… so that they can earn a few cents an hour making products that we could easily make here. What they need is to develop their own industry… to evolve in their own right… and begin to mend their countries, economies, and society.
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Posted by poolagirl on September 7, 2009 at 1:52 pm
This whole story is so very far from over.
Posted by herstory07 on September 7, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Very true, Poolie… but it is a helluva lot better than what it used to be.
Posted by purple chai on September 7, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Labor unions provided the only political clout the average American has ever had, and now industry is circumventing the gains of labor by out-sourcing, not only cutting the American worker out of the economic picture, but the political as well, thereby cutting their power base down to nothing. If outsourcing doesn’t work for the bigwigs, they find another way around our hard-won labor laws. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I had hoped we had evolved beyond this, but apparently not.
Posted by G on September 7, 2009 at 6:15 pm
And, what’s with the “Unions are poopy” bullshit propaganda I’ve been hearing about? Unions are not (usually) derisive. They are SUPPOSED to protect workers, help them hammer out their contract demands, jump between the workers and bosses… and sometimes go a little overboard (some call it “Wunderlust”)…
I agree that American industry is wholeheartedly pulling the American worker out and sending the work elsewhere where they can make MORE money by having children in a 3rd world country put circuits together with their little fingers. Or, women stuffed into a fire-trap room sewing purses together. All of the things American labor experienced from the early farms and cottage industries until the great strike eras are somewhat similar to working conditions elsewhere in the world.
Most specifically… There ARE no child labor laws in 3rd world countries, mostly because their incomes are needed by their families. So, to give these people work so that they can buy 2 bowls of rice a month is essentially causing the working class to drift into more abject poverty than ever before.
And, I’m not excited to see the Federal Government getting involved in businesses. It makes me twitchy and nervous. Sounds to me like they are looking for more pocket change while more people are going on public assistance just so they can feed their children. Sucks a lot. Thanks for commenting.
Posted by terri t. on September 8, 2009 at 2:08 pm
As always you have given us information to review and process. I bet you are a great teacher for those students who really want to learn. Not like that woman you mentioned a couple of blogs ago. Boy, I have missed reading your blogs…congratulations on finding the great chair and ottoman and I hope you get to sit in it. Hope your #3 son enjoys soccer and you can bite your tongue OR NOT at the other moms. I also hope your #1 son has a new respect for the job you do once he gets into his college classes.
I got stuck in the Facebook games, losing hours of my time. I think I have escaped…..
Posted by G on September 8, 2009 at 8:57 pm
FB sucks you in, doesn’t it? I personally enjoy farmtown.