An organized association of workers formed to protect and further their rights and interest

Labor Unions

History >> Industrial Revolution

Labor unions are large groups of workers, usually in a similar trade or profession, that join together to protect the workers' rights. The Industrial Revolution was a time when national labor unions began to form in the United States.

Why did labor unions first form?

During the Industrial Revolution, the working conditions in factories, mills, and mines were terrible. Unlike today, the government took little interest in creating safety standards or in regulating how businesses treated workers.

The typical industrial employee worked long hours under dangerous conditions for little pay. Many workers were poor immigrants who had little choice but to keep working despite the conditions. If an employee complained, they were fired and replaced.

At some point, workers began to revolt. They joined together and created unions in order to fight for safer conditions, better hours, and increased wages. It was easy for factory owners to replace one employee who complained, but much more difficult to replace all their employees if they went on strike together.

What did they do to make things better?

The unions organized strikes and negotiated with employers for better working conditions and pay. During the Industrial Revolution this wasn't always a peaceful process. When employers tried to replace striking workers, the workers sometimes fought back. In some cases, things became so violent that the government had to step in and restore order.

The First Unions

An organized association of workers formed to protect and further their rights and interest

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877
Source: Harper's Weekly

In the early part of the Industrial Revolution most of the unions were smaller and local to a town or a state. After the Civil War, national unions began to form. One of the first national unions was the Knights of Labor in the 1880s. It grew rapidly, but just as quickly collapsed. The next major union to form was the American Federation of Labor (sometimes called the AFL). The AFL was founded in 1886 by Samuel Gompers. It became a powerful force in fighting for workers' rights through strikes and through politics.

Major Strikes

There were several major strikes that took place during the Industrial Revolution. One of them was the Great Railroad Strike of 1877. It began in Martinsburg, West Virginia after the B&O Railroad company cut wages for the third time in a year. The strike quickly spread throughout the country. When strikers tried to stop the trains from running, federal troops were sent in to put down the strike. Things turned violent and several strikers were killed. The strike ended 45 days after it started. Although the wages weren't restored, workers began to see the power they had through the strike.

Other famous strikes included the Homestead Steel Mill Strike of 1892 and the Pullman Strike of 1894. Many of these strikes ended in violence and the destruction of property, but eventually they began to have an impact on the workplace and conditions gradually improved.

Labor Unions Today

Throughout the 1900s, labor unions became a powerful force in the economy and politics. Today, labor unions aren't as strong as they once were, however, they still play an important role in many industries. Some of the largest unions today include the National Education Association (teachers), the Service Employees International Union, and the Teamsters.

Interesting Facts about Labor Unions during the Industrial Revolution

  • In 1935, the National Labor Relations Act was passed that guaranteed the right for private citizens to form a union.
  • Business owners would sometimes put spies in the unions and then fire any workers that tried to join.
  • One of the earliest strikes was held by the Lowell Mill Girls in 1836. At the time, they called the strike a "turn out."
  • A strike in Chicago in 1886 turned into a riot later called the Haymarket Riot. Four of the strikers were hanged after being found guilty for starting a riot.
  • In 1947, the Taft-Hartley Act was passed to restrict the power of labor unions.
Activities
  • Take a ten question quiz about this page.

  • Listen to a recorded reading of this page:

More on the Industrial Revolution:

Works Cited

History >> Industrial Revolution

: an organization of workers formed for the purpose of advancing its members' interests in respect to wages, benefits, and working conditions

members of a labor union with job protection under a collective bargaining agreement with the employer Seth Sandronsky

An organized association of workers formed to protect and further their rights and interest

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The two candidates spent a record-setting $4.8 million, with Meek outspending his opponent by nearly $700,000 thanks to a surge in last-minute contributions from Democratic party and labor union PACs. oregonlive, 17 Nov. 2022 The racial concerns are based on state data showing Black people make up 6.39 percent of the county population but landed just 3.33 percent of labor union apprenticeship slots between 2007 and 2017. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2022 Amazon Labor Union members rallied at the ALB1 Warehouse in Schodack, New York, on October 10, 2022, ahead of their labor union election. WIRED, 19 Oct. 2022 Leading labor union organizations such as the AFL-CIO, North America’s Building Trades Unions, and Laborers' International Union of North America have advocated against the establishment of IRAPs. Patrick Hauf, Fox News, 7 Oct. 2022 Phoenix City Council candidates are not, by state law, allowed to accept labor union donations. Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 17 Sep. 2022 In 2021, there were approximately 14 million labor union members in the U.S. Membership is highest among Americans between the age of 45 and 54. Leada Gore | , al, 5 Sep. 2022 The Missouri ACLU, Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the state’s largest labor union, Missouri AFL-CIO, are in favor. Solcyre Burga, Time, 3 Nov. 2022 The school board’s ethics panel produced reports last year that accused seven board members of offenses including steering contracts, doing political favors and engaging in a quid pro quo with a labor union. Nicole Asbury, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'labor union.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of labor union was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near labor union

Cite this Entry

“Labor union.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/labor%20union. Accessed 30 Nov. 2022.

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on labor union

Last Updated: 21 Nov 2022 - Updated example sentences

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Merriam-Webster unabridged

What is an organized association of workers formed to protect rights and interests?

A labor union is a group of two or more employees who join together to advance common interests such as wages, benefits, schedules and other employment terms and conditions.

What is an organized association of workers?

A labor union is an organization that represents the collective interests of workers in negotiations with employers.

What is an organization of workers called?

A labor union is an organization formed by workers in a particular trade, industry, or company for the purpose of improving pay, benefits, and working conditions.

What is an organized group of workers usually formed to protect their communal rights?

trade union, also called labour union, association of workers in a particular trade, industry, or company created for the purpose of securing improvements in pay, benefits, working conditions, or social and political status through collective bargaining.