when did unions first appear in the us?
477568
about the mid to late 1800s in what is called the "progressive era"
1161895
As corporate interests have gained total control in this country they have not had to pay any attention to workers' demands.  The laws favor their unjust practices, so there is no recourse.  During the cold war era, anything that suggested "communsim" or "socialism" was condemned.   Currently, workers themselves often have no idea at all of how their meager remaining benefits were originally won--history is taught from the viewpoint of power after all, and in that view the unions are best forgotten.  Now, people are so alienated from the political process they don't even see the possibility of mass movements having any effect.  It is easier to bury oneself in consumerism than to try to mobilize your local community.
961709
The time is the present for labor unions to come back with a mission.  Labor unions try to bargain with companies for fair wage and working conditions.  It's come down now to try and  bargain to even keep the company in the U.S.  \n\nYears ago, before unions, workers were being treated unfairly and cruelly by corporations.  They made them work long hours without overtime.  They paid them meager wages.  They threatened them all the time and would treat their favorites much better than the others.  The workers had no benefits.\n\nWhen unions were formed, heads of corporations unwillingly were forced to bargain and and sign agreements to provide better working environments, better wages, and made to be fair with all employees.  There was a time when all workers went on strike, it rendered the corporation inoperable and they would lose money.  The benefit of labor unions is to ensure employees are treated fairly in the workplace and that is why we now have the Fair Labor Act.
870269
Probably from years ago, when there were "blue laws", and many, or most businesses were closed.  Later, employees with labor unions wanted a confirmed day off, so it's likey that this is a covered issue in many union contracts.
450912
the landrum Griffith act gives union members certain rights within a union just go to yahoo search type in landrum Griffith act and you can find lots of articles on this act
267726
Actually, it was started by the steel workers in Pennsylvania. Why they started it, I don't know.
504714
Organized labor was established to represent groups of workers for the purpose of arbitration in wages, benefits, hours, safety conditions, etc. I allows employees to stand for their rights united rather than individually and is a fundamental right of all working class people. \n  As with all organizations, there are many divisions and opportunities for corruption. Labor today is very involved in politics when issues regarding labor-friendly elections, worker issues, pensioning, medical benefits, and government lobbying, come up, as well as many other concerns.\n  This is a very general description. The first unions I believe were established by shoemakers in Philadelphia. The textile workers of the 18th century were also involved from the beginning. Labor has been a very major player in American, political, and working class histories. \n   Labor probably peaked by the late '60's and included teachers, police, construction workers, manufacturing jobs, automotive assembly plant workers, mechanics, etc, as it continues today. They're numbers have fallen the last few decades, with Reagan involving the government with the air traffic controllers strikes of the 80's setting and effective precedent that has lasted to this day.\n   Still, the rights of all workers to organize and consolidate in one voice their concerns for a right to make a decent wage, work safely, and have decent working conditions and medical benefits will be forever established. The movement may fluctuate with present economic and political concerns, but I believe the basic principles will last forever. No man should be a slave.\nThere will be a lot of information available if you research this topic.\npeace
1144318
The problem is major major, let me say again MAJOR, propaganda against a union. I used to work for IBM as an engineer (not even affected by a union btw being salaried) and man even if someone was accused of using the 'U' word, they were somehow mysteriously fired.\n\nIf anyone even mentions a union the propaganda KINGS come out in full force. \n\nI wish there would be a massive union spread throughout this country. It would save the good parts of this declining capitalist society.
352158
In the United States, Child Labor was abolished in 1938 when Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act which placed limits on many forms of child labor.
953092
Union busting is as old as the industrial age. Closing factories and retail outlets to break unions has been common since the end of the nineteenth century. Closing a store is a lot less expensive to a company like Wal-Mart than letting a union be established.\n\nIt is too bad that here in the United States the Unions have an adversarial relationship with management. In many countries Unions work with management and not against them—it is one of the secrets of Japan's success. \n\nIt is clear that here in the United States the distribution of wealth within most companies is enormously unfair. With executives making hundreds of millions of dollars in salary and perks while the average worker is not making a living wage--something is very wrong with this formula. \n\nThis is probably a great time for Unions to revive. This time they must keep the crooks away and work with management and the government. There is clearly a need for organized labor in America and I am a conservative and have served in senior management positions.
1060786
hon It depends where you are some times in south Carolina they will start them as low as 9.50 a hr. or that was what it was two yrs ago. if you had know experience. That's with know union you know the south plants don't like unions to much most of the places I worked told us if we tried to bring in a union they would close the doors.
335156
The Wagner Act, or the The National Labor Relations Act as it is sometimes referred to as, was a law passed in 1935 in favor of labor unions and workers.  The main thing that it did was it created the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which had the power to give elections to workers, asking if they would like to be represented by a union.  The NLRB also would investigate to see if any unfair labor practice charges were occurring.  The Actu also allowed workers to organize labor unions, collective bargain, and to take action such as striking legally.  Although it may sound like a huge advance for all workers, it was very exclusive.  The Wagner Act does not include farmers, supervisors, domestic employees, individual contractors, and family or friends of the employer.  The act did not apply to any workers already covered by the Railway Labor Act of 1926 either.....hoped this helped.
861124
The first state to allow women to vote was Wyoning in 1880's.  Then the whole U.S.A. allowed them to vote in 1920.
837919
It's a great big circle of events that not many want to tackle or try to understand. You may think I am off track here but please read on.\n\nAlthough some unions are corrupt, there are many that serve a purpose. CWA and IBEW to name just two. Over the years they have been losing their power due to employees not wanting to spend the extra dollars on representation that doesn't appear necessary at the time. Or, for some reason, do not believe business will take advantage of them. And, when a United States president (Reagan) can terminate an entire work force because of the threat to strike it takes away what power the unions have.\n\nToday, there are far fewer unions representing workers than there were 25 years ago. By the way, 25 years ago, most of us felt comfortable with employment and the long term benefits of staying with one employer. This is no longer true.\n\nEmployers now feel they can freely hire who ever they want because they have no threat of a bargaining entity that, if they (the employer) treated the employees poorly would be threatened with a strike or action by the union.\n\nSo, since employers have the ability with impunity to hire who ever they please, why wouldn't they hire under skilled, low wage earners like illegals, no matter how they speak or write. It's all about profit!\n\nI had a job 25 years ago that paid $11 per hour, at the same time I bought a house that cost: $ 30 thousand. Today, that same job pays $ 17 - 19 per hour, the house: $275 thousand. The math: Wage increase less than 100%. Cost of housing increase more than 300%.\n\nAll I'm saying, nobody is protecting the worker. It won't matter if there illegal unless imagration, border and customs are able to do their jobs. And, employers start paying a fair wage for qualified craftman in most trades.\n\nJust so you know, I'm white collar and voted for Reagan but can see the injustice.
638507
There many laws and regulations that were imposed.  Such as the 8 hour work day, and later the 40 hour work week was implemented.  There were also many laws introduced towards children - not letting them work as many hours, and later that they had to be of a certain age to work.\n\nLabor unions were soon introduced into society, bringing about more change and protection for workers.  Issues of safety, fairness, cleanliness, etc.. were also of concern for a need to change.
232104
Don't have an exact date, but I will look to see if I can find it and if so, modify this answer.  However, I do remember that the Underground Railroad was in operation between 1830-1865.
384630
Unions long ago outlived their usefulness in the USA.  What do you think is the main reason for the fact that there are so few strong, large companies employing us these days?   Unions started because we needed them, there were lots of  immigrants and few jobs so the pay was low, conditions were extremely dangerous, children and woman were seriously exploited.  Unions helped to correct all these issues plus more. Unfortunately the unions gained so much power they began making demands that were absolutely ridiculous. this in turn cased the workers to become accustomed to making demands and having those demand meant no matter how absurd they were.  As a result Americans became overpaid, less productive and basically lazy and the companies were not able to produce a product of quality at a price that was competitive. Companies wanted to stay in business so they took there businesses to countries where they could make a profit and I admit exploit those people for profit.  Certainly these conditions do not exist in our country today. Unions have done more harm to the US than good, they are corrupt, driven by greed and useless today.  The unions we have today in no way resemble the original unions that were designed to protect both the employee and employer and generate proud in American made goods.  Nothing makes me madder than a bumper sticker that encourages or brags about unions, except maybe a Clinton bumper sticker.