Achieving Legislature

The Labor Movement had many shortcomings. For instance, the movement at times, excluded women, unskilled workers, immigrants, and African Americans. Immigrants made up the majority of the unskilled workforce but many considered their settlement in America to be a temporary stay. Another major setback to the movement was the lack of public support because of widely publicized, violent protests and strikes carried out by labor unions and groups such as the Molly Maguires. The strikes were consistently broken down by government forces, who often supported the employers, and few achieved any major successes. With persistent efforts from organization such as the American Federation of Labor and Women's Trade Union League among many others, workers were eventually able to improve their labor conditions. In 1848, Pennsylvania passed a law applying to cotton, wool, silk, paper, bagging, and flax industries which forbid them to hire anyone under twelve and required a maximum ten hour work day. New Jersey complied to the same demands in 1851 and the following year, Ohio passed a child labor law for children younger than fourteen.(1) Despite the occasional violence from striking workers, public opinion shifted more in favor of the labor movement, especially after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and other tragic workplace accidents.(2) During the 1920's, after World War I and the flu pandemic, businesses were prospering and Americans were more willing to improve working conditions. Through what is known as welfare capitalism, workers were granted higher wages, shorter work days, paid vacations, even cafeterias and recreational areas, all provided with the purpose of preventing any more labor unions and strikes.(3) Following notable industrial accidents, workers compensation, work hours laws, and safety regulations for high-risk industries such as mining, railroads, and construction were established. Although not all employers immediately complied with regulations, over time, workers’ safety and adequate living and working conditions became a public standard and priority. 

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Source:

(1) Gloria Skurzynski, Sweat and Blood: A History of U.S. Labor Unions, 20.

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(2) Ibid, 53.

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(3) Ibid, 68.