Running head: AMERICAN LABOR UNIONS 1

American Labor Union

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Despite the decagon of attacks by the industrial system to workers, labor unions brought

the aspect of a collective bargain, which was a vital force that reduced inequality among workers

and oppressions by employers to an employee. Labor unions ensure that all rights and interests of

workers were met. They negotiated with the employer over hours, working conditions, wages,

benefits, and as a result, brought harmony and unity among workers.

According to history, earliest before 1768 workers faced individual problems such as

cheap labor, long working hours, poor working conditions, among others. However, during the

industrial revolution, labor unions emanated to speak for the collective interests of employees. It

enabled the workers to cooperate and negotiate with employers’ overpayments and any other

pressing issue of work. It became an essential part of a business in the United States as it

represented workers in every field. Earlier labor unions contended collectively for reasonable

working hours, better pay, better working conditions, health benefits, and above all, stood against

child labor (Dubofsky & Melvyn, 2000).

If employees faced unfavorable working conditions, they agreed not to work until the

working conditions were put to their standards. During this contention, a unions' power was

enforced to inform a strike. Through striking and negotiating, unions were able to achieve many

victories for their workers. The government, in turn, provided a safe and healthy working place.

Initially, trade unions were inspired by the immediate interest of its members, which concurred

with all values advocated by the American Revolution. However, as the nature of economic

systems began to change, it counteracted labor's vision and, as a result, led to the rise of two

distinct classes, the Poor and the Rich. Moreover, other labor unions arose, such as the National

trade union and Knight of the labor union. These newly formed unions with time began to shy

away from trade unions' values of tending strictly to workers' needs but instead started bidding
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broadly to all producers. As time went by, a conflict of interest arose, with each union

demanding the other to stick to reform purposes. In part, the genesis of labor unions supremacy

emanated from an indisputable reality. As commercialism matured, labor reforms lost its

meaning, and that marked the failure of labor unions. By the same token technological changes

also led to discrimination among workers. Labor unions preferred the industrial structure and

overlooked the crafting system. Moreover, craft unions stopped supporting less-skilled workers

as well as racism, and sexist coloration undermined the values of a rational labor union

(Bernstein & Irving, 1960).

Based on constitutional grounds, each existing trade union has the right to self-

governance that allows it to run its affairs. Currently, the unions play a defensive role; they

challenge what they see as an erratic decision, such as lay-offs or sudden wage cuts. They also

compel the management to change any notable poor working conditions. Unions also advocate

for parity and equal rights for all workers as they are all independent citizens (Daniel P Smith,

2011). What's more is unions help create transparency, especially in pay, promotions, terms for a

raise, etc. However, in my opinion, the most critical aspect of labor unions is that it gives

workers the power to better their jobs and build the economy.

In conclusion, labor unionism prepared the working class for an industrial revolution,

which is characterized by reasonable working hours, better wages, and right working conditions,

and, more importantly, equality for all workers regardless of race, sex, and coloration. And as the

union grew stronger, worker's reforms were met.

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References

Auerbach, Jerold S (1966) Labor and liberty: The LaFollette Committee and the New Deal.

Indianapolis: Bobbs Merrill.

Bernstein, Irving (1960) the lean years: A history of the American worker, 1920-1933. Boston:

Houghton Mifflin.

Conner, Valerie (1983) The National War Labor Board. Chapel Hill: University of North

Carolina Press.

Dubofsky, Melvyn, and Foster Rhea Dulles (2004) Labor in America: Seventh edition.

Wheeling, IL: Harlan, Davidson.