Introduction
The struggle by employees to have better terms of engagement with the employer has characterized the American industrial history. It is the constant conflicts between these two parties that have made the Congress develop legislations to protect the interests of either party. Employees have formed unions that have ended up shaping the working environment in the nation. The American Congress, which is a representative of the people, has developed the labor act which helps arbitrate labor disputes. The labor act referred to as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) defines the minimum wages and the overtime pays. The act also defines the workplace safety and health; it also secures the Employee benefit through the rights provided for the formation of employee’s trade unions that negotiate on behalf of the employees.
The America's labor acts are a culmination of many labor laws that have developed over time. The labor laws have been influenced by the different unrests that arise in the course of the employee's employer relationship. At the end of the American civil wars, rail construction became on of the biggest employer outside the agricultural industry. An economic meltdown in the 1870's resulted in the company tasked with the railway road construction reducing the wages of the employees by 10 percent. Wage cut lead to several railway strikes making it difficult for the movement of the trains. The continued wages cuts across different states resulted in labor unrest which gave birth to the labor unions to agitate for workers demand. By the time the railway road unrests were settled several gains into the labor relations were made including establishment of labor unions, coverage for sickness, injuries from accidents, death benefits and also pension plans for the employees.
The Pullman unrests triggered by the laying of workers, wages cuts and failure to reduce the housing costs marked another milestone in labor disputes. The disputes pitted the American Railway Union against the federal government of the United States, The Pullman Company, and the main railroad. The unrest was characterized by sabotaging all Pullman cars on the railroad in attempts to force the Pullman Company to compromise. The unrest marked a significant milestone with a federal injunction being used to stop a strike and an employer being accused of greed. The employees we also granted their demands and some blacklisted from working in any railway company.
The Ludlow disaster is another major contributor toward the American industrial warfare. The disputes pitted the Rockefeller's, Colorado fuel against the mine workers. The unrest targeted recognition of employees union, better working environment and a few working hours resulted in the loss of life as the company employed strikebreakers to evict the striking workers from the company. The aftermath of the unrest led to the recognition of the union and became the rallying cry for union organizers everywhere. The struggle brought out the struggles faced by the American immigrant workers.
The industrial struggle continued with many more unrests reported; this has lead to the establishment of stronger workers unions, and the umbrella worker's body the workers union of America. The organization has fronted for different registrations that are aimed at improving the working environment for the American workers.
The organization has petitioned the Congress to form the American labor laws to protect the workers interests. The fair standard labor act is a result of the many labor laws that have been enacted across different periods.
References:
American perspective: Reading American history. (2015).Vol 2 6th ed. Pearson learning solution, pp.2- 27, pp.2-15
