American Studies Research Project - Labor
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
What Made the Union Leaders Become Greedy?: In:Depth
During the time of the Depression many unions had begun to protest due to the inequality of the Labor workers. During this time wages and income equality had decreased because of the failing of the economy. The labor workers were unhappy about this inequality and begun to protest against the companies. During this time the union had selected people to be the leaders of the union. Some of these leaders had begun to become greedy and believed that they deserved political power. Due to these beliefs from the leaders, they had begun to take control over these uinions. The majority of the unions that were granted their wants, became greedy and wanted more than what they wanted. The leaders of these uinions believed that they were dominant. After time of becoming powerful, the leaders soon began to demand political power. Labor was a dominant force in the countries economy, and the leaders knew they could grasp a hold on the power. Although they had attempted to become domiant the government had stepped in, and ended the union leaders control.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
In-Depth: DOL and the Human Spirit
Labor productivity is a very important aspect of America's global influence, and its ability to compete in the global economy. The economic definition of labor productivity refers to the "monetary value of what is produced by a unit of human labor". This means that people need to work for more than they are being paid, and what they have to spend to make a profit. Work is necessary for citizens of an advanced nation to live because work shows your worth, and it influences the amount of money you will get from working and achieving your true potential. Human labor is becoming less and less necessary as technological developments begin to take place. It will put the DOL out of business along with the entire human race because it is much cheaper to operate and maintain a machine, and get new machines than follow the 180 statues in the DOL. "Labor productivity implies two consecutive conversions of energy: first, a flow of energy input is converted into flow of applied power, and second, this flow of applied power is used to perform a particular work". This means that labor is putting energy into your job/ task. This energy is necessary to do your job/ task, and you must be efficient to work and gain a profit on your work accomplished. Child workers in the past were used because they had a high energy level all the time, and they could do many different types of jobs and tasks with minimal problems.
Primary: How the DOL influences the American Workforce
100 Years Ago in 1913, the Department of Labor was created with the intentions, "to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of working people, to improve their working conditions, and to enhance their opportunities for profitable employment". The initial DOL combined the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Bureau of Immigration, the Bureau of Naturalization, and the Children's Bureau with the newly formed U.S. Conciliation Service. "Though its long, varied, and often controversial career, the Department of Labor has functioned as an investigator, regulator, mediator, and law enforcer". The DOL has had grim years such as in the 1920's when they got their funding slashed by congress. The Great Depression and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal revived the DOL. The DOL was needed in the Great Depression because people were being laid off for an extended period of time, and people needed a way to survive without jobs. The New Deal was important because... It is a recent topic in the 1970's for the DOL to include the health, safety, and retirement plans of the nation's workers. The new deal gave relief to the unemployed and the poor, recovery of the economy, and reform of the financial system to prevent a repeat depression.
Were the Strikes By the Orginized Unions Benefical to the Workers? Primary Source
Before the crash of the market, many orginized unions had began to create strikes. One of the most benefical strikes that occured was against General Motors. The workers had gone on strike because they felt as if their rights and wants were not being taken care of. As a result of this strike the workers were able to recieve their wants. Some of the workers, were also able to resolve their issues of wages. Gerneral Motors had decided to agree to the worker's terms. Although the strike for the Gerneral Motors workers were benefical, sometimes the stikes didnt work out in other worker's favors. The Steel workers orginization had begun a strike because they began to become selfish with their wants, and also their leaders became extremly greedy. Due to this unreasonable strike President Trueman attempted to help end this strike, but failed because of his breaching of authority. The government had then created regulations for workers, and these benefits worked towards the bosses and owners of the companies. The strikes of the workers during this time was sometimes benefical. General Motors workers were able to have their wants granted. But the Steel workers were not given the wants due to greediness of the workers.
Primary Source: Goggins' influence
Goggin and Haley were two influencial women in the fight for equality in the school system. They devoted their lives to improved the lives of others. They faced struggles with power, as it shifted from a feminist perspective, to one that accomidates both men and women. The two women went under investigation for "depletion of school funds that had affected the pay of city school teachers." Their passion was what carried out the legacy that kept the unions and foudnations alive throughout generations. Miss Goggins was elected to be a trustee for the Board of Eduacation Retirement Funds. Where was Miss Haley during this time? Was she still actively influencing teacher unions? Goggins was a teacher, which helped her standings in her position as trustee. This is beause it allowed her to see eye to eye with the people she worked with and affected, as opposed to having a superior viewpoint over them.
In Depth: Politics in Unions
The effects of Politics on Unions had taken away from the foundation of the Union. The focus was no longer about fixing problems, but about gaining support to do so. The mentality of fighting for the workers was lost altogether, as those in positions of power became preoccupied with their own position. It is true that there are many solutions to a problem, although not all paths could be carried out. This was a struggle because the term for Superintendant did not last more than a few years. After gaining the support needed to go about fixing an issue, there was an election and a new plan was made under new rule. This could have also been a result of having too much structure in the school system. Maintaining this order takes away from the real purpose, which is improving life for all of those influenced by education
Monday, February 11, 2013
In Depth Source- Immigration, culture, and Child Labor
The article I came across was called Immigration, Culture, and Child Labor in the United States. Many factors go into the reasons for why child labor such as economic suffrage and need for survival. However, the article focused on the influence that different traiditions and values from migrant families within the nation had on the active role of child labor. For example, it was more common for the european children immigrants to be in the workforce because it was known as acceptable and normal in the society for them. The italians valued the income of their sons and daughters and often sent them off the be indentured servants. They expected their kids to be focused on their job and were very strict. Although other children outside of migrant families also worked, the parents often motivated their children by acting as if it was playtime and let them stop when they were tired. The system for which parents from different backgrounds used for child labor was varied. Another point the article made was that Jewish people valued education over work and these children were more in attendence at school then kids christian families. It wasn't that the migrant or the catholic families loved their kids any less, it was just what they saw as more important for the children and thought that work was what was best for them. Not only did the parents value work over school, but the kids did as well. One would think the children would perfer school then working hard all day out in the fields or factories, but in fact it was the oppoiste. First, Children were proud to work for their parents and saw it as normal to work beside them. Second, the schools were just as harsh if not more abusive in school then at the facotries. They also saw school as too difficult and again perferred working. This made is difficult for the Progressives and new legislation because not only were they going against parents, but the children themselves. Child Labor was not an easy issue to end because it was something that was accpeted in society and wasnt as hated as many may think. The conidtions of child labor were harsh and unreasonble which was recognized by many, but not by all because for certain families including children it was valued.
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