Essay Three Cases of Union Breaking in Us

Submitted By connoed
Words: 2460
Pages: 10
Open Document
Journalism 513 Edward Connolly The Legacy of Three Union Busting Milestone Events in the United States This paper will discuss three major unionized labor-­‐management disputes in the U.S.; the goals of each action (strike or other action); the significant individuals involved in breaking the unions involved; the public attitude of the times; and the aftermath of those union-­‐management disputes in terms of their effect on union growth and progress.

The strikes and the strike breakers: First – Andrew Carnegie and the Homestead steel strike of 1892 Second – Ronald Reagan and the Air traffic Controllers’ Strike of 1981 Third – Governor Scott of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Public Employees union -­‐ 2011 Union defeats in these three disputes led to major union busting efforts and blunted progress in a time of union growth, or accelerated a downward trajectory in a period of decline.

Carnegie and Homestead Works Skilled Steel Workers

For several years Andrew Carnegie had been building his fortune upon acquiring and operating steel companies and plants at a time when steel was the major growth industry enabling America to build cities and infrastructure that would make it the envy of the world. Carnegie’s holdings in steel were primarily in “unorganized” or non-­‐union plants. In 1888 he acquired the unionized Homestead plant in Pennsylvania. At the time of his acquisition and early period of operation, unions (the plant union was the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers, or AA) were comprised primarily of skilled personnel who worked cooperatively with management on productivity, efficiency and quality of the product. Unionized workers also held a great amount of personal security and a sense of ownership of their jobs. As Carnegie’s plants became more mechanized they required a large number of unskilled laborers that came in as non-­‐union workers. The AA, a national union, was also organized in other steel plants in the Allegheny region. The union initiated a strike on June 30, 1892, which was followed by a management directed “lockout” of union workers.

While Carnegie left for an extended tour of Europe he left one of his managers, Henry Frick in charge. Frick had a plan to fiercely oppose the union, to not only end the strike – but to break the union entirely. Carnegie was complicit in the plan, but stayed in Scotland to keep himself comfortably above the fray.

Frick hired the Pinkerton Agency with an objective of overthrowing the striking workers that were occupying the perimeter around the plant (after a fence had been built by Frick to keep the workers out of
Show More

Related Documents: Essay Three Cases of Union Breaking in Us

On the Beach Essay example

Tale In 1955, less than one-fifth of Americans knew what nuclear fallout was, even though they were in the middle of the Cold War (Haigh, 11). Australians believed that since they lived thousands of miles away from the United States and the Soviet Union, then they were safe (Beach, 179). This was unacceptable to Nevil Shute, an aeronautical engineer and writer, who moved to Australia in 1950. He was well aware that Australians were in as much danger as Americans and Russians. On the Beach was Nevil…

Words 1910 - Pages 8

The Impact Of The New Deal

legal guarantees for workers’ rights to organize and join unions, prohibition of child labor, Social Security, unemployment compensation, and fair labor standards. For all of the New Deal’s limitations, its laws and programs tamed Upton Sinclair’s “Jungle,” encouraged broad economic security and prosperity, and created, in economic terms, the most equitable America in history. And it was promoted and protected not only by strong unions but also by religious leaders, thanks to the prominence of a…

Words 781 - Pages 4

Essay on Spanish 5-6 study guide

negotiating the oregon border between Great Britain and US b. 1818 both agreed on joint occupation of the Oregon Country c. “Fifty­Four Forty or Fight” was the rallying call of those who wanted the US to own the entire territory. d. Great Britain didnt want to give it up but 1846, Polk Administration and GB reached compromise border 49 parallel (current border between US and Canada) D. Mexican War a. Causes/reasons for i. Texas annexed by US in 1844, Mexico furious that Texas had become part of the US b. effects i. The…

Words 2326 - Pages 10

United States and Good Feelings Essay

both himself and the other members of congress, leading to the original decision to create somewhat unequal taxation in the first place. Document B is similar, as John C. Calhoun is also speaking against the lack of union in the United States, by suggesting building roads and canals. Both documents are attempts to increase the level of unity and nationalism in the country by convincing Congress to make changes in the government. Finally…

Words 890 - Pages 4

Quiz 2 Assignment Essay

Wal-Mart helped us understand how they eliminated unwanted nodes and by sharing relevant information and implementing modern IT techniques. Wal-Mart also helps in creating sustainable environment by reducing carbon footprint generated from the goods carrying trucks. We also learned about the how the use of vendor managed inventory program could lead to economies of scale, however, there are some conditions which need to be fulfilled in order to have maximum benefit out of it. The case also talked about…

Words 1315 - Pages 6

Essay on Durkheim’s Theory of Anomie and Marx’s Theory of Alienation

critique the concepts against each other, it would be helpful to define them in terms of a common ground, that being labour, as well as looking at the concepts’ similarities, differences and origins. The present-day solutions in use such as trade unions, nihilism and religion also warrant…

Words 2757 - Pages 12

Employment and Daniels Essay

Case Analysis of Employee Law Module Name & Number: Employment law & BHM350 Course Tutor/Lecturer: Dr Nicholas Theodorakopoulos Candidate number: 333867 Date of Submission: 13/03/2013 Word count: 3060 Email one: Hello, I am the Line Manager for Division F – the employees dealing with customer complaints. As you know, we have recently had a move around of desks and filing cabinets. The work area is still rather untidy, with boxes of files waiting to be moved. Today, James…

Words 3769 - Pages 16

The Election Of The Vietnam War In The United States

prosperity JFK-Democrat “New Frontier” You would see something different than the old grandfather seen in Eisenhower Cold Warrior War Hero in World War II Missile Gap Between the United States and the Soviet Union Nixon war criticized for the Soviet Union having more missiles than US The realities were different but the Kennedy campaign uses this against Nixon Religious Aspect Catholic President One of the Closest elections in history Kennedy Wins Kennedy brings the best and the brightest…

Words 1359 - Pages 6

Peerless Starch Company Essay

scoring rubric previously provided. c) Assignment must be placed on the online portfolio and must be submitted to etutoring for review. d) Read the case study below in its entirety and give it some serious thought. Then, in your own words, summarize the issues involved in this case (there are quite a few) and indicate whether Glen Baxter has a case and provide a thorough discussion to support your conclusion. Finally, and within the write-up, discuss what you would do if you were John Ludwig? Essay…

Words 2503 - Pages 11

Homosexuality and Gay Men Essay

that religion opposes homosexuals and even in the Bible there were issues dealing with homosexuality. As we look in the bible as a guide on homosexuality we find that every time the bibles spoke on homosexuality, it was with condemnation. First, let us look at a few scriptures that substantiate that homosexuality is wrong. Lev. 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." Lev. 20:13, "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman…

Words 4061 - Pages 17