Activity: You are workers at a skate factory. Write a letter to
your boss listing the changes you want.
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Activity 2: Your boss rejects your list! What will you do
now?
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Problems for Workers Poor work conditions Low Pay Long Hours
Unsafe work Children work No sick or vacation pay If hurt on job
lose your job
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Tactics Used By Management Blacklist: your name goes on a list
that is given to other companies so they wont hire you Yellow Dog
Contracts: the company makes you sign a contract that you wont join
a union Scabs: Immigrants who will take the jobs of striking
workers
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What can the workers do? Form a union! Labor Union: a group
that helps workers fight for rights
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Tactics Used by Workers Work Slowdown: you go to work but make
less so it hurts the profit of the business Picket: hold signs
outside so people wont buy from that business Boycott: dont buy the
goods/services Strike: Dont work
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How do they work together? Collective Bargaining: both sides
negotiate pay, hours etc Mediation: a third party helps the two
come to an agreement but they dont have to take the advice
Arbitration: a third party gives advice that the sides have to
do
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First Major Strikes
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Railroad Strike of 1877 Company was going to cut wages 10%
Militia in Philadelphia kills some workers President Hayes sent out
troops
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Who Won? Management
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Homestead Strike 1892 AFL Iron/Steel Workers against Carnegie
His Asst. Frick cuts wages Frick uses Pinkertons to break up strike
Deaths and Injuries Both Sides Frick almost gets assassinated Union
calls off Strike
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Who Won? Management
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Pullman Strike 1894 Railroad Pullman started towns for his
workers Cut Wages 25 to 40% Strike Affects Mail Pres. Cleveland
stops strike and sends troops
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Who Won? Management
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Effect? Government doesnt recognize unions Violence/Unrest
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Why is it hard for workers to win rights? Because so many new
immigrants increase supply of workers! Immigrants will work for
less!