Rise of the Labor Movement - Essay Example

Most employers since as early 19th century have been known for their ruthless treatment of their workers without considering their wellbeing and the civil rights to which they are entitled. For workers in the industrial sector, labor movements were organized with the core objective of better wages, reasonable hours, improved conditions at the workplace. The movement’s efforts have since transformed the labor society into what it is today. It has resulted in the dismissal of child labor, health benefits accrued to workers as well as provision of assistance to workers who get injured in the course of duty and support to the retired group.

Factors that have led to the emergence of the labor movements include the mistreatment of workers at the workplace by their employers. Incidences of workers' mistreatment had become prominent in the American society that compelled them to form unions in an effort to fight for their rights and protect them from inconsiderate, self-centered employees. The workers were kept working for long hours with little or no pay at all. Such terms of contract fuelled the formation of mass protest by the workers in protest of the cheap labor. Another factor that was key in the rise of the labor movement was political involvement and sensitization of the workers. Local leaders and politicians played a significant role in the formation of unions as they sought to fight for the rights of their people. Most leaders of the time sensitized their community to stand their ground and fight for their rights. The call by leaders propelled residents who were getting unfair treatment to congregate together and stage a protest against their masters. This was evident in the colonial era where political leaders led their troops against their masters who were taking advantage of them to gain cheap labor leading to reforms in the sector.

Marxism taught believed that trade unionism was an inevitable instrument for preparing the workers for revolution. Through the solidarity fostered among working class residents created a formidable force that stirred change and transformation in this sector. Marxism believed that only by self-organization among workers would a positive change be experienced that will eventually result in securing industrial emancipation.

Another factor that resulted in the formation of unions is the evident immigration of the labor force into the economy and the ever-growing size of workers in the general domain. this gave them the numbers needed to stage a very powerful campaign against discrimination and poor treatment by employers. Read More