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The Declaration of Independence
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Samuel Gompers
Gompers justified the ability to organize on the constitutional grounds of “trade autonomy”. Made it so each national union was assured the right to regulate its own internal affairs. Gompers ended up founding the American Federation of Labor and served as the organization's president from 1886 to 1894 -
The Strike at Homestead Mill
The purpose of the text is to inform readers on how far a strike will go and the history of unions. Of course, the case of Homestead Mill doesn’t represent all unions. But, this is one of many examples that showcases why in the modern world companies and organizations are so heavily opposed to unions due to Carnegie's choices. -
Lucy Parsons
Lucy Parsons was one of the founders of the International Workers of the World (IWW). Parsons was also involved in the foundation of the International Working People's Association (IWPA) journal, The Alarm, in 1883. Along with workers rights, Parsons challenged racist and sexist beliefs at the time even when Americans believed that a woman's place was in the kitchen. -
Great Depression
Great Depression messed up the labor movement really bad. From unhappy industrial workers and the New Deal collective bargaining legislation, finally had mass production industries striking. "By the end of World War II, more than 12 million workers belonged to unions and collective bargaining had taken hold throughout the industrial economy." -
John L. Lewis
John L. Lewis of the United Mine Workers and his supporters broke away from AFL in 1935 and formed the Committee for Industrial Organization (CIO). They did this because organization efforts were being held back. The CIO critically aided emerging unions in autotech, rubber, steel and other industries. 1938, CIO formally established as the Congress of Industrial Organizations. -
National Labor Relations Act
Senator Wagner passed this act in 1935. It represents laws and rights set for the nation relating to labor. Based on the fact we are having issues with these rights in the modern world as of now, I wouldn’t say this Act has made a huge impact. Maybe it has allowed more for workers to work with when dealing with their rights, but based on my other readings; not much. -
Nelson Hale Cruikshank
Cruikshank helped create Social Security and Medicare. In the medical field he is considered one of the most important non-legislators responsible for the enactment of Social Security Disability Insurance in 1956 (first act that provided Social Security benefits to people with disabilities), & of Medicare in 1965. -
Delano Grape Strike & Boycott
The purpose of this text is to enlighten the readers on how the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) struck ten grape vineyards around Delano led by Larry Itliong and Ben Gines. Labor needed immigrants and those in similar groups to function. But, even though these groups of people were essential, they were still looked down upon and treated unfairly. This led to these groups of people to boycott for better working conditions and wages. -
Address to the California Community Club
Cesar Chavez -
Barack Obama
When former President Barack Obama was elected in 2008, union leaders wanted Obama to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. Since Democrats were unable to garner enough support to pass the law most changed their loyalties to the other political party. Obama did have the Department of Labor change contracting that impacted minimum wage, addressed wage theft/ transparency, fought against health/ safety hazards, sexual harassment, & discrimination. -
Labor's labors lost? A year after stunning victory at Amazon, unions are stalled
Fired Amazon warehouse worker turned labor activist, Chris Smalls swarmed federal labor offices in NYC with supporters & media. Celebrating 1st Amazon union in U.S. led by Smalls…not really a win due to fact that though support in unions is high, membership is low- not just at Amazon, this is seen across the U.S. The purpose of the text is to enlighten readers on the struggles that unions go through and the fact that groups can’t establish unions due to insecure organizations & corporations. -
Workers in the South Aren’t Letting Anti-Labor Laws Stop Them From Organizing
Impact of this movement is that this article represents how important unions are for workers and labor rights. -
Labor Rights Are Reproductive Rights
Article showcases how employees themselves see themselves in patients sometimes, patients worried about missing work, etc. They see themselves in the same position as healthcareworkers, and their employers even speak out about selfcare, but no action is really put into it+ negative connotations on unions, and how that needs to change.