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Unlock your guides8.4 Labor Reforms and Workers' Rights
4 min read•july 30, 2024
The Progressive Era brought significant labor reforms, reshaping the relationship between workers and employers. New federal institutions, like the , emerged to protect workers' rights. Laws regulating working hours and child labor marked a shift towards fairer working conditions.
Labor unions played a crucial role in fighting for workers' rights during this period. Organizations like the and used strikes, boycotts, and lobbying to push for better wages, safer workplaces, and shorter work hours. These efforts laid the groundwork for modern labor standards.
Labor Reforms of the Progressive Era
Establishment of Federal Labor Institutions
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- Department of Labor created in 1913 as Cabinet-level agency
- Promoted wage earner welfare
- Improved working conditions
- Advanced opportunities for profitable employment
- of 1908 allowed railroad workers to sue employers for negligence
- Marked shift in employer liability for workplace injuries and deaths
- of 1914 exempted labor unions from antitrust laws
- Legalized strikes and boycotts as collective bargaining tools
- Strengthened union power in negotiations with employers
Regulation of Working Hours and Child Labor
- of 1916 prohibited interstate sale of goods produced by child labor
- Applied to factories, shops, and mines employing children under 14
- Restricted work hours for children aged 14-16 to maximum 8 hours per day
- of 1916 established 8-hour workday for railroad workers
- Set precedent for future labor standards across industries
- Reduced exploitation of workers through excessive hours
- State-level reforms complemented federal efforts
- Implemented (New York's 1910 law became model for other states)
- Enacted minimum wage legislation for women and children (Massachusetts passed first minimum wage law in 1912)
Labor Unions and Workers' Rights
Labor Union Organization and Tactics
- (AFL) founded in 1886
- Focused on organizing skilled workers
- Lobbied for labor legislation during Progressive Era
- Advocated for "bread and butter" issues like wages and hours
- (IWW) established in 1905
- Sought to organize unskilled workers
- Advocated for radical changes to capitalist system
- Promoted concept of "One Big Union" to unite all workers
- Unions employed various tactics to achieve goals
- Strikes ( of 1894, of 1919)
- Boycotts (AFL's "We Don't Patronize" list)
- Political lobbying (supporting pro-labor candidates)
- Labor unions faced violent opposition
- of 1892 resulted in violent clashes with Pinkerton detectives
- of 1914 saw Colorado National Guard attack striking miners
Expanding Labor Rights and Safety Standards
- of 1911 galvanized public support for labor unions
- 146 workers, mostly young immigrant women, died in the fire
- Led to improved factory safety regulations and fire prevention measures
- Unions promoted concept of ""
- Pushed for legislation to establish minimum wage standards
- Argued for wages sufficient to support a family and maintain decent standard of living
- Women's participation in labor unions increased
- "" in 1909 saw female garment workers strike for better conditions
- Highlighted intersection of labor rights and women's rights movements
- Led to formation of to support female workers
Impact of Progressive Era Labor Reforms
Improvements in Working Conditions and Worker Protections
- Gradual improvement in working conditions achieved
- Reduced working hours (from 60+ hours per week to closer to 40)
- Increased safety measures (installation of fire escapes, improved ventilation)
- Elimination of most egregious forms of child labor
- Workers' compensation laws shifted burden of workplace injuries to employers
- Incentivized improved safety practices to reduce costs
- Provided financial support for injured workers and their families
- Concept of "" emerged
- Companies voluntarily improved working conditions and offered benefits
- Aimed to discourage unionization and government intervention
- Examples include Ford's $5 day program and company-provided housing
Long-term Economic and Social Effects
- Labor reforms contributed to rise of middle class
- Increased wages reduced extreme exploitation
- Improved working conditions led to better quality of life for workers
- Significant inequalities persisted, particularly for unskilled and minority workers
- Relationship between business and labor remained contentious
- Many employers resisted unionization efforts (union membership remained below 20% of workforce)
- Some companies attempted to circumvent new labor laws (creating company unions, using strikebreakers)
- Labor reforms institutionalized process of collective bargaining
- Created more formalized system for resolving disputes between workers and management
- of 1935 further solidified these practices
- Progressive Era reforms laid groundwork for future labor legislation
- of 1938 established national minimum wage and overtime pay requirements
- of 1970 created comprehensive workplace safety regulations
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