History+about+Labor+Unions

===Throughout history labor unions tended to grow more in members when businesses increased. The 1930's were the years when labor unions improved in being recognized due to Roosevelt's New Deal plan. By the 1950's one out of three men belonged to a labor union, these were the years when labor unions were the most popular. Today it is estimated that about one men out of nine belong to a labor union. Even though there has been a dramatically decrease, labor unions did a lot over the years for workers.===


 * Labor unions used to be called 'craft unions"
 * Business managers viewed unions as a threat.
 * U.S troops were used to stop strikes by labor unions.


 * ===One of the most popular labor union today is the AFL, American Federation of Labor. This was founded by Samuel Gompers who was a cigar maker.At first his union only received membership from skilled workers who worked making cigars. By 1920, there was four million members.[[image:laborunions/samuel.jpg]]===


 * ===[[image:laborunions/m.jones.jpg align="left"]]Another popular leader in creating a labor union was Mary Jones, she organized coal mines . She founded the Industrial Workers of the World.===


 * The first national union was the Knights of Labor who were a success. They didn't require specific qualifications in order to join their union. The Knights of Labor were founded in 1869. Even though at first they gained so many members, they were blames for the Haymarket Riot. This riot killed seven police officers and one civilian this caused the members to leave the union. By 1889 the Knights of Labor had very few members, it almost was known as it had died out.


 * = The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 - Allowed the growth of unions. established a national minimum wage of 25 cents per hour and a 44 hour week.=


 * = The Wagner Act of 1935- Helped change the balance of power between labor management.=