Labor unions in the United States began as craft guilds, organizations of workers, like shoemakers or tailors, who could leverage particular skills to bargain for better pay and conditions. In the 1890s, Eugene Debs realized his idea of “one big union,” which included all workers from one industry — in his case railroads, then the largest employers in the nation — and achieved power through numbers.
Jack. Another very good article about the history of Unions. I worked for SUNY Oneonta and the Union we had was Civil Service and for the most part, a very good one and I think there was only 1 strike in the 40 years I worked there.
Here's what Eugene Debs said (with great flourish) before being sentenced to ten years for speaking against World War I: “When the mariner, sailing over tropic seas, looks for relief from his weary watch, he turns his eyes toward the southern cross, As the midnight approaches, the southern cross begins to bend, and though no bell may beat the glad tidings, the lookout knows that the midnight is passing and that relief and rest are close at hand. Let the people everywhere take heart of hope, for the cross is bending, the midnight is passing, and joy cometh with the morning.”
Great article Jack. Presently watching (PBS) a docuseries about Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Workers Rights play a big part in both their lives. It got them thrown out of the country and sent back to Mexico. Rivera's homage to Lenin in his Rockefeller Center fresco probably didn't help. Nothing seems to change.
Jack. Another very good article about the history of Unions. I worked for SUNY Oneonta and the Union we had was Civil Service and for the most part, a very good one and I think there was only 1 strike in the 40 years I worked there.
Oh, Jack, your story is so right on, and makes me so very tired. Things change but only for short intervals, and then money rules again.
Here's what Eugene Debs said (with great flourish) before being sentenced to ten years for speaking against World War I: “When the mariner, sailing over tropic seas, looks for relief from his weary watch, he turns his eyes toward the southern cross, As the midnight approaches, the southern cross begins to bend, and though no bell may beat the glad tidings, the lookout knows that the midnight is passing and that relief and rest are close at hand. Let the people everywhere take heart of hope, for the cross is bending, the midnight is passing, and joy cometh with the morning.”
Great article Jack. Presently watching (PBS) a docuseries about Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Workers Rights play a big part in both their lives. It got them thrown out of the country and sent back to Mexico. Rivera's homage to Lenin in his Rockefeller Center fresco probably didn't help. Nothing seems to change.
I saw part of that show on Frida and Diego. My father walked picket lines as a UAW member at Rochester Products.