The History of the Fight

What You Will Learn

• That your rights were not given to you; they were won in a long and often bloody struggle.

The Story

How the New Deal and the National Labor Relations Act transformed the balance of power in the American workplace.

The 30-Second Answer

The Story

In the late 19th century, the average American worker endured grueling 60-hour workweeks in dangerous, unsanitary conditions, for wages that barely kept their families from starving. In the industrial heart of the nation, Chicago, a powerful movement was growing, a movement with a simple, revolutionary demand: the eight-hour day. The Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions had set a deadline: May 1, 1886. On that day, a general strike would paralyze the nation. And it did. Hundreds of thousands of workers walked off the job across the country, with Chicago as the epicenter. On May 3, at the McCormick Reaper Works, a confrontation between striking workers and police turned violent. The police fired into the crowd, killing two workers. The next day, a rally was called in Haymarket Square to protest the police brutality. As the last speaker finished, a line of police officers advanced. In that moment, a bomb was thrown. The explosion and the ensuing police gunfire left seven officers and at least four civilians dead. The Haymarket Affair, as it was tragically named, became a pivotal turning point in the fight for workers' rights. It unleashed a wave of anti-labor hysteria, and eight anarchist leaders were convicted of conspiracy in a trial that was a travesty of justice. Four were hanged. But the Haymarket martyrs did not die in vain. Their sacrifice became a rallying cry for the international labor movement. May 1st was declared International Workers' Day, a day to commemorate the struggle for the eight-hour day and the rights of all workers.

The Action Plan

1. 1Know Your History. Read about the major events and figures of the labor movement. Understanding the past is the key to shaping the future.
2. 2Connect with Your Coworkers. The power of the labor movement has always been in collective action. Talk to your colleagues about your shared concerns.
3. 3Support Modern Labor Struggles. Whether it is the Fight for $15, the unionization drives at Amazon and Starbucks, or the strikes by teachers and nurses, the fight for workers' rights is happening now. Pay attention and offer your support.
4. 4Join a Union. If you have the opportunity, join a union. If you do not, consider organizing one. The right to organize is your most powerful tool.

The Details

The Rise of the Unions and the New Deal The early 20th century saw the rise of powerful national unions, like the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the more radical Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), or "Wobblies." These organizations fought for better wages, shorter hours, and safer working conditions, often in the face of brutal opposition from employers and the government. The Great Depression was a turning point. The widespread suffering and social unrest of the 1930s forged a new political climate, one more sympathetic to the cause of labor. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal included a series of landmark laws that transformed the landscape of American labor relations. The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 (NLRA), also known as the Wagner Act, was the most important of these. It guaranteed workers the right to organize, to form unions, and to engage in collective bargaining. It created the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to oversee union elections and to prosecute unfair labor practices by employers. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) established the first national minimum wage, set the standard workweek at 44 hours (later reduced to 40), and banned child labor. These laws were the culmination of decades of struggle, and they laid the foundation for the "golden age" of the American labor movement in the mid-20th century. The Long Decline and the Rise of the Gig Economy The post-World War II era was a time of unprecedented prosperity for American workers. Union membership reached its peak in the 1950s. But the tide began to turn in the 1970s and 1980s. A combination of deindustrialization, globalization, and a concerted anti-union campaign by employers led to a long and steady decline in union membership and power. The rise of the gig economy in the 21st century has presented a new set of challenges. Companies like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash have built their empires on the legal fiction of "independent contractors," a classification that strips workers of their basic rights and protections as employees. But the spirit of the labor movement is not dead. In recent years, we have seen a new wave of labor activism, from the "Fight for $15" movement to the teacher strikes that have swept the nation. Gig economy workers are organizing, demanding to be treated as employees, and using new technologies to build power and to fight back. THE TOOLKIT The Toolkit EVENT/LAW WHAT IT WAS WHY IT MATTERS TO YOU Haymarket Affair (1886) A violent confrontation between police and labor protesters in Chicago. It became a symbol of the struggle for the eight-hour day and the sacrifices of the labor movement. National Labor Relations Act (1935) The federal law that guarantees your right to organize a union and bargain collectively. This is the legal foundation of your right to collective action. Fair Labor Standards Act (1938) The federal law that established the minimum wage and overtime pay. This law ensures you are paid fairly for your work. The Gig Economy The modern labor market characterized by short-term contracts and freelance work. It represents a major challenge to the traditional definition of an employee and the rights that come with it. Remember: F.I.G.H.T. A mnemonic for the lessons of labor history: LETTER STANDS THE ACTION FOR F Fought For Your rights were not given; they were fought for. I Informed Stay informed about your rights and the ongoing struggles of workers. G Group There is power in collective action. H History Understand the history of the labor movement to shape its future. T Today The fight for workers' rights is happening now. Get involved.

Five Real-World Scenarios