Prompt Response

Unions had little success during the period 1871 - 1900 in improving both the economic and social position of U.S. workers. Major public relation problems, the lack of cooperation among different unions, and U.S. government support for big businesses were key reasons why unions had little success in enhancing wages and improving working conditions.

One reason unions didn't have a significant impact in improving economic position was that unions had major public relations problems. Violent strikes led by labor union workers aroused fear among the American public. The Haymarket Riot of 1886 in Chicago was one of the most violent incidents of labor unrest in the 19th century. As this clash was occurring, a bomb, allegedly set off by anarchists, exploded, killing both police officers and labor union workers. Widespread fear of unionism and other radical ideas influenced most of the public to support harsh treatment for the rioters. During the Homestead Strike of 1892, a violent strike erupted after Henry Clay Frick, a high-ranking Carnegie official, gave labor union workers a 22% wage decrease. Frick hired the Pinkerton National Detective Agency to end the strike, but the strikers assaulted the Pinkerton Agency. The strike and vehement riots continued until the American militia arrived about a week later. A third strike that negatively impacted public perception of the unions was the Pullman Strike of 1894. Four thousand Pullman Palace Car Company workers reacted violently to a 28% wage cut with a strike. Once again, American soldiers had to come to end the tumultuous strike.

Unions also had limited success because existing unions could not agree on goals and work together. The American Federation, AFL, and the Knights of Labor were two unions with conflicting opinions. The American Federation of Labor accepted only those with skilled labor and had "bread and butter" goals such as higher wages and shorter hours. On the other hand, the Knights of Labor had open membership, regardless of race, gender, or skill. Their goal was to make "every man his own master..." and had several other lofty, idealistic goals. Eventually, support for these unions evaporated with time.

In addition, the United States government favored policies toward big businesses rather than unions and made it difficult for unions to improve workers' positions. While reformers and union leaders lobbied Congress for laws to improve the lives of the working class, the Supreme Court limited the scope of such legislation by narrowly defining what jobs were dangerous and which workers needed protection. For example, in Holden v. Hardy (1856), the Court upheld a law regulating working hours of miners because overly long hours would increase the threat of energy. Finally, courts regularly denied workers the right to organize and bargain collectively on the grounds that wages should be individually negotiated between employee and employer.