US History - Labor Unions

Labor Union

organized strikes and protests in order to obtain better work conditions

collective bargaining

Negotiations between representatives of labor unions and management to determine pay and acceptable working conditions

strike

to refuse to work in order to force an employer to meet certain demands

knights of labor

1st effort to create National union. Open to everyone but lawyers and bankers. Vague program, no clear goals, weak leadership and organization. Failed

terrence powderly

Leader of the Knights of Labor

American Federation of Labor

A powerful union made up of people with similar economic interests. Founded by Samuel Gompers, first successful union.

samuel gompers

leader of the American Federation of Labor

closed shops

an agreement in which a company agrees to hire only union members

yellow dog contracts

a contract between a worker and an employer in which the worker agrees not to remain in or join a union.

blacklisting

A blacklist is a list or register of people who, for one reason or another, are being denied a particular privilege, service, or mobility

lockouts

a company tool to fight union demands by refusing to allow employees to enter its facilities to work

scabs

Stirkebreakers hired by employers as replacement workers when unions went on strike

haymarket affair of 1886

In chicago, a bomb went off during a union rally, police fired weapons as a response killing civilians and police. Unions were blamed and associated w/ socialism and anarchy. As a result there was less unionization as well as strong anti-immigrant sentiment