Labor Unions
Labor Unions were an important part of the labor movement in the 1920s. Unions were developed to keep employees together, and try to earn what they want. Unions were formed for all types of different jobs. Some of these were for the railroads, for factory workers, and also for skilled workers. Unions often organized strikes to help earn better working conditions for their members. In the 1920s, labor unions declined. This is a strange statement because employment was increasing, yet unions were not.
During this decade, labor unions gained more prominence in society and completely changed the way companies hired. This also revolutionized the way in whcih people joined these labor unions. The union system was unfavorable to many, but made it easier for companies to hire for cheaper. Despite the doubters, business, laborers, and manufacturers boomed in the '20's. People really started to believe that this was the way to go; until 1929, that is. Almost over night, the stock market crashed and people were out of work. These assembly lines no longer could produce as efficiently and were working for a lot less pay. It was the Great Depression.
This great decade that had been good to so many manufacturing companies and the labor unions they hired were finally over. Maybe not over, but production in these ares slowed to a near halt. Inflation was at a record high, with companies producing far more than stores were selling. This made it pointless to hire new labor unions. The supply was there, but the demand was virtually gone in some cases. This sparked debate on wheter or not these unions (that people thought were so useful) were even necessary during times of economic despair. The other debate about labor unions was the fact that all the workers were part of a whole, making it very hard to fire one particular worker who isn't doing a good job. Firing one worker meant firing the whole union and have to re-hire. Debates on this topic are still a prime concern even in today's world.
During this decade, labor unions gained more prominence in society and completely changed the way companies hired. This also revolutionized the way in whcih people joined these labor unions. The union system was unfavorable to many, but made it easier for companies to hire for cheaper. Despite the doubters, business, laborers, and manufacturers boomed in the '20's. People really started to believe that this was the way to go; until 1929, that is. Almost over night, the stock market crashed and people were out of work. These assembly lines no longer could produce as efficiently and were working for a lot less pay. It was the Great Depression.
This great decade that had been good to so many manufacturing companies and the labor unions they hired were finally over. Maybe not over, but production in these ares slowed to a near halt. Inflation was at a record high, with companies producing far more than stores were selling. This made it pointless to hire new labor unions. The supply was there, but the demand was virtually gone in some cases. This sparked debate on wheter or not these unions (that people thought were so useful) were even necessary during times of economic despair. The other debate about labor unions was the fact that all the workers were part of a whole, making it very hard to fire one particular worker who isn't doing a good job. Firing one worker meant firing the whole union and have to re-hire. Debates on this topic are still a prime concern even in today's world.