Work Place Safety
Working Conditions
When people found out that you make more money if things are made in bulk, they opened large factories. Workers were given jobs with low wages and cheap rent in the town. The workers were in a way, trapped in their job. They had to work in the factory, otherwise they would have no place to live. Factories were filled with dangers. In industrial factories children were running fast paced machinery; many children were maimed or killed. In steel mills, hot metal would poor without warning from leaks in their containers, maiming many workers. In the mines there were gas explosions and cave ins. In factories were clothing was made, employees worked in sweatshops. Seamstresses did piecework, and the amount they had to do was piled high. Many times the seamstresses worked long into the night to get the job done. If they didn't, they wouldn't get paid for the days work. Textile factories would hire women and children because they were paid lower wages than men. They would work 16 hours a day under the pressure of getting the job done in a timely manner. Sometimes, if workers didn't work fast enough, they would get beaten by the owner. In the factories the doors were locked shut so that workers could not distract each other. In 1911, this caused disaster. (Look to The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire)
When people found out that you make more money if things are made in bulk, they opened large factories. Workers were given jobs with low wages and cheap rent in the town. The workers were in a way, trapped in their job. They had to work in the factory, otherwise they would have no place to live. Factories were filled with dangers. In industrial factories children were running fast paced machinery; many children were maimed or killed. In steel mills, hot metal would poor without warning from leaks in their containers, maiming many workers. In the mines there were gas explosions and cave ins. In factories were clothing was made, employees worked in sweatshops. Seamstresses did piecework, and the amount they had to do was piled high. Many times the seamstresses worked long into the night to get the job done. If they didn't, they wouldn't get paid for the days work. Textile factories would hire women and children because they were paid lower wages than men. They would work 16 hours a day under the pressure of getting the job done in a timely manner. Sometimes, if workers didn't work fast enough, they would get beaten by the owner. In the factories the doors were locked shut so that workers could not distract each other. In 1911, this caused disaster. (Look to The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire)
The Rise of Unorganized Labor
The Knights of Labor
Workers were not happy with these working conditions. Many found ways to slowly fight back. Some slowed their work rate, while others went on strike in individual factories. In 1869, workers formed the Knights of Labor. In the beginning, it was only open to skilled workers. The members held meetings in secret because if anyone found out they would be fired. Later in 1879, the Knights of labor elected Terence Powderly as their leader. Terence tried to strengthen the union by opening the union to other workers no matter the race or skill level. He thought that strikes were inefficient. Terence used meetings and rallies to build support. The thing he wanted most, however, was that workers and employers share ownership and profits. In 1885, some members of the Knights of Labor held a strike that made the Missouri Pacific Rail Road restore wages that had once been lowered. Many workers viewed this strike as a success for the knights, even though it was not fully accepted by the other members, and membership rose to 700,000.
The Knights of Labor
Workers were not happy with these working conditions. Many found ways to slowly fight back. Some slowed their work rate, while others went on strike in individual factories. In 1869, workers formed the Knights of Labor. In the beginning, it was only open to skilled workers. The members held meetings in secret because if anyone found out they would be fired. Later in 1879, the Knights of labor elected Terence Powderly as their leader. Terence tried to strengthen the union by opening the union to other workers no matter the race or skill level. He thought that strikes were inefficient. Terence used meetings and rallies to build support. The thing he wanted most, however, was that workers and employers share ownership and profits. In 1885, some members of the Knights of Labor held a strike that made the Missouri Pacific Rail Road restore wages that had once been lowered. Many workers viewed this strike as a success for the knights, even though it was not fully accepted by the other members, and membership rose to 700,000.
However, despite their previous success in 1856, the Knights of Labor got into trouble. At McCormick Harvester Company in Chicago, workers went on strike. The Knights did not support this strike either. McCormick Company had strikebreakers to back them up if workers went on strike. On May 3rd, 1886, the strikers fought with the strikebreakers outside the factory. The police fired into the crowd, and four workers were killed. The next day, thousands of workers came to the square and protested against the killings. The rally was lead by anarchists. Then a bomb exploded. The bomb killed 7 police officers. Eight anarchists were arrested for the incident. Four were convicted and hanged. Many people thought that the Knights of Labor was controlled by anarchists. Shortly after this idea spread membership for the Knights of Labor dropped dramatically.
The American Federation of Labor
The failure of the Knights of Labor did not lessen the effects of labor movement, in fact its failure increased the growth of the movement. In 1886, Samuel Gompers organized a union in Columbus, Ohio. He called it the American Federation of Labor (AFL). The AFL was open, like the Knights of Labor, to skilled workers only. Workers did not join the AFL directly, instead they joined trade unions. Then the trade union would join the AFL. The AFL was a large union joined by other small unions. The AFL focused on higher wages, shorter hours, and the improvement of working conditions. Because of this, the AFL soon became the strongest union in the nation. By 1910, one and a half million workers were part of the AFL.
The failure of the Knights of Labor did not lessen the effects of labor movement, in fact its failure increased the growth of the movement. In 1886, Samuel Gompers organized a union in Columbus, Ohio. He called it the American Federation of Labor (AFL). The AFL was open, like the Knights of Labor, to skilled workers only. Workers did not join the AFL directly, instead they joined trade unions. Then the trade union would join the AFL. The AFL was a large union joined by other small unions. The AFL focused on higher wages, shorter hours, and the improvement of working conditions. Because of this, the AFL soon became the strongest union in the nation. By 1910, one and a half million workers were part of the AFL.
Working Women
In 1890, 1million women worked in the factories all over America. They worked in in textile mills and the tobacco farms. More women worked in the factories than men. Some women formed their own unions; and although these unions did not succeed, they encouraged other workers to revolt as well.
In 1890, 1million women worked in the factories all over America. They worked in in textile mills and the tobacco farms. More women worked in the factories than men. Some women formed their own unions; and although these unions did not succeed, they encouraged other workers to revolt as well.
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
On March 5, 1911, at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York City, a worker threw a cigarette butt or a lit match into a pile of cloth scraps. Then the fire spread quickly. 500 workers, mostly immigrant girls, were trapped in the building. The workers on the 10th floor escaped by crossing to the roof across from the building. On the eight floor, some workers escaped by the elevators until the heat caused the them to shut done. However, all the workers on the 9th floor were trapped. The fire escape had collapsed, sending workers to their death. The girls decided they would rather jump from the 9 floors up to a certain death below than be burned to death or suffocate. They joined hand and jumped. In all, 148 workers died. The owners of the company, Max Blanck and Isaac Harris, were charged with manslaughter. The charge did not go through though, there was no way to prove that the men knew that the doors were locked shut. Later on, Max Blanck was arrested for locking the door in his factory during working hours. He was fined only $20. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Contributed to the creation of the Factory Ivestigating Commission of 1911. McCormick Company had strikebreakers to back them up if workers went on strike.
On March 5, 1911, at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York City, a worker threw a cigarette butt or a lit match into a pile of cloth scraps. Then the fire spread quickly. 500 workers, mostly immigrant girls, were trapped in the building. The workers on the 10th floor escaped by crossing to the roof across from the building. On the eight floor, some workers escaped by the elevators until the heat caused the them to shut done. However, all the workers on the 9th floor were trapped. The fire escape had collapsed, sending workers to their death. The girls decided they would rather jump from the 9 floors up to a certain death below than be burned to death or suffocate. They joined hand and jumped. In all, 148 workers died. The owners of the company, Max Blanck and Isaac Harris, were charged with manslaughter. The charge did not go through though, there was no way to prove that the men knew that the doors were locked shut. Later on, Max Blanck was arrested for locking the door in his factory during working hours. He was fined only $20. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Contributed to the creation of the Factory Ivestigating Commission of 1911. McCormick Company had strikebreakers to back them up if workers went on strike.
Shirtwaist Factory Fire Photos
The Massachusetts Buraeu of Statistics of Labor
It was a slow process, but eventually the laws for factory safety were changed. The first bureau of investigation was created in Massachusetts in 1869. Many other states soon followed suit. The bureaus carefully examined labor and iindustry. They published the information they found in their reports. Their main concern was that the wokring conditions were extremely hazardous. The bureaus sent investigators to the factories to collect information on deaths, injuries, and illnesses contracted from the building. The information thay collected and published was shocking to many Americans. Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics of Labor helped get citizens on their side. The Bureaus reports told of maimed children in textile and paper mills. Later in 1871 they observed the working conditions. Some factories were worse than others. Many of the factories had bad ventilation. In 1874, they went to different factories and checked that there was guarding on the machines, protective shafting, fire escape elevators, and a certain amount of air space per worker. Most factories seemed to follow almost all the regulations, there were no huge transgressions.
In 1882, the Massachusetts bureau interviewed workers from 3 towns. One worker complimiented the factory, while others complained about strange smells and cotton dust. Even with these complaints, two things drew the Bureaus attention. in 1875 they reported a fire at Granite Mills in Fall river. Many workers were killed in this fire. The reason for this was because there were no sufficiant ways to escape from the upper floors. Another concern of the Bureaus was the health of working young women. They were especially concerned about the effect the job was having on their health. The physical punishment that harrassed them caused permenate illness and injury. The Bureau appealed to have this changed. Finally the Massachusetts factory act was passed. It was called, "An act relating to the i nspection of factories and public buildings," the act required belts, shafts, and gears had to be guarded correctly. It also said that there was to be no cleaning of machinery while it was in motion, and that there should be ventilation when needed. Elevators were required to have hoist ways that had to br partioned off. There had to be a certain number of emergency and fire exits. The inspections began in 1879. Massachusetts law was soon copied by other states, and eventually throughout the nation. More regulations were passed afterwords that had to do with labor hours, and that has led to the way things are today.
It was a slow process, but eventually the laws for factory safety were changed. The first bureau of investigation was created in Massachusetts in 1869. Many other states soon followed suit. The bureaus carefully examined labor and iindustry. They published the information they found in their reports. Their main concern was that the wokring conditions were extremely hazardous. The bureaus sent investigators to the factories to collect information on deaths, injuries, and illnesses contracted from the building. The information thay collected and published was shocking to many Americans. Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics of Labor helped get citizens on their side. The Bureaus reports told of maimed children in textile and paper mills. Later in 1871 they observed the working conditions. Some factories were worse than others. Many of the factories had bad ventilation. In 1874, they went to different factories and checked that there was guarding on the machines, protective shafting, fire escape elevators, and a certain amount of air space per worker. Most factories seemed to follow almost all the regulations, there were no huge transgressions.
In 1882, the Massachusetts bureau interviewed workers from 3 towns. One worker complimiented the factory, while others complained about strange smells and cotton dust. Even with these complaints, two things drew the Bureaus attention. in 1875 they reported a fire at Granite Mills in Fall river. Many workers were killed in this fire. The reason for this was because there were no sufficiant ways to escape from the upper floors. Another concern of the Bureaus was the health of working young women. They were especially concerned about the effect the job was having on their health. The physical punishment that harrassed them caused permenate illness and injury. The Bureau appealed to have this changed. Finally the Massachusetts factory act was passed. It was called, "An act relating to the i nspection of factories and public buildings," the act required belts, shafts, and gears had to be guarded correctly. It also said that there was to be no cleaning of machinery while it was in motion, and that there should be ventilation when needed. Elevators were required to have hoist ways that had to br partioned off. There had to be a certain number of emergency and fire exits. The inspections began in 1879. Massachusetts law was soon copied by other states, and eventually throughout the nation. More regulations were passed afterwords that had to do with labor hours, and that has led to the way things are today.
What did these organizations and events do?
Life would be extremely different if there haden't been for the Nights of Labor, The Shirtwaist Factory Fire, The American Federation of Labor, or the Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics of Labor. All of these events and organizations played a major role in changing the horrible working conditions. The Shirtwaist Factory Fire opened Americans eyes to the horror of their own ignorance of what goes on in the factories. The Nights of Labor opened pathways for new organizations to be formed, such as the American Federation of Labor. Both of these organizations showed workers that there were right and wrong ways to revolt. Finally, Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics of Labor was persistant enough to finaly convine the state to pass the first inspection laws, settinf a precedent for other states to follow.
Life would be extremely different if there haden't been for the Nights of Labor, The Shirtwaist Factory Fire, The American Federation of Labor, or the Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics of Labor. All of these events and organizations played a major role in changing the horrible working conditions. The Shirtwaist Factory Fire opened Americans eyes to the horror of their own ignorance of what goes on in the factories. The Nights of Labor opened pathways for new organizations to be formed, such as the American Federation of Labor. Both of these organizations showed workers that there were right and wrong ways to revolt. Finally, Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics of Labor was persistant enough to finaly convine the state to pass the first inspection laws, settinf a precedent for other states to follow.
How would life be different if these organizatons never existed?
Everything we know today would be changed. Your parents may have been trapped in the factories, not well enough to support your familt. You might have then ended up working in a factory with these horrifying conditions as well. Disease would also be more rampant because of the closed quarters that employes worked in. Altogether, life would be bleak. People would still be trapped in factory life: never making enough money to cancel out the cost of your medical bills.
Everything we know today would be changed. Your parents may have been trapped in the factories, not well enough to support your familt. You might have then ended up working in a factory with these horrifying conditions as well. Disease would also be more rampant because of the closed quarters that employes worked in. Altogether, life would be bleak. People would still be trapped in factory life: never making enough money to cancel out the cost of your medical bills.
www.schoolshistory.org.uk/IndustrialRevolution/workingconditions.htm
Davidson, James West, James West Davidson, Michael B. Stoff, Michael B. Stoff, Herman J. Viola, and Herman J. Viola.Prentice Hall the American nation . Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. Print.
http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/Lesson_47_Notes.htm
http://www.authentichistory.com/1898-1913/05-changing/4-trianglefire/index.html
S.O.
Davidson, James West, James West Davidson, Michael B. Stoff, Michael B. Stoff, Herman J. Viola, and Herman J. Viola.Prentice Hall the American nation . Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. Print.
http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/Lesson_47_Notes.htm
http://www.authentichistory.com/1898-1913/05-changing/4-trianglefire/index.html
S.O.