{"id":357876,"date":"2017-05-02T18:31:27","date_gmt":"2017-05-02T23:31:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/the-legal-history-of-labor-unions.html"},"modified":"2025-03-25T08:48:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T13:48:00","slug":"the-legal-history-of-labor-unions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/the-legal-history-of-labor-unions.html","title":{"rendered":"The Legal History of Labor Unions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Legal History of Labor Unions<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lisa Burden, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The union movement has helped shape the employment rights of today. Over centuries, unions have fought for higher wages, workplace safety, and employee protections, leading to significant legislation. Today, unions continue to influence worker rights and labor laws.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The history of unions in America is as old as the country itself. The legal field of labor law has developed in response to the creation of unions. The American labor movement paved the way for advocacy for fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and the overall well-being of workers across various industries and trades.<\/p>\n

American workers have benefited greatly from the labor movement. But, there is still work to be done. Contact a local labor attorney<\/a> to learn more about your rights and options for collective action.<\/p>\n

This article provides a brief history of unions. Understanding how union history impacts union workers today is crucial for appreciating the current landscape of labor rights and collective bargaining<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Labor Unions in Early American History<\/h2>\n

This history of labor unions<\/a> in the United States has roots as far back as the European Industrial Revolution in the 18th century. Unions in the U.S. have origins in the original colonies. The first recorded American strike happened in 1768 when the New York journeymen tailors protested a wage reduction<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The first union in the colonies, a shoemaker union called the Formation of Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers, began in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1794. It marked the beginning of many years of trade union organization.<\/p>\n

The American Federation of Labor (AFL) was a notable early labor union. Samuel Gompers founded the AFL in 1886. The need for skilled and unskilled workers increased following the Civil War, in part due to the end of slavery. The AFL had 1.4 million members at its peak. It successfully negotiated wage increases and improved workplace safety.<\/p>\n

As the United States grew and industry developed, the need to protect workers’ interests increased. This was particularly true for industrial workers, who needed protection from sweatshops, long hours, and dangerous working conditions. Unions made great strides in stopping child labor and gaining health care benefits and aid for injured workers.<\/p>\n

Worker-organized unions in the United States have a long history of fighting for employee protections such as a minimum wage and a shorter workday.<\/p>\n

Unions in the Modern Era<\/h2>\n

An increase in factory work leading up to World War I caused a rise in the power of unionized workers. The strength and popularity of unions grew further during the Great Depression because of President Roosevelt’s New Deal policies. But during World War II, the government banned some industries from striking out of fear that a strike might impede wartime preparation and production.<\/p>\n

The peak of union power and membership was in the 1970s. Shortly after, private-sector membership numbers began to decline. But, membership in public sector unions continues to grow.<\/p>\n

Several factors led to decreased union membership over the past few decades. Some corruption in union leadership led to an entanglement with organized crime. Also, advancement in labor law led to a decreased reliance on unions for workers’ rights protections. These include federal laws banning child labor, setting wage and hour standards, and prohibiting discrimination based on race and gender,<\/p>\n

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, union membership<\/a> was 10% in 2023, about 14.4 million. In 1983, union membership was 20%. While private sector members show 5.9% membership, public sector membership is much higher at 32.2%.<\/p>\n

Further, the DOL reports<\/a> that non-union workers\u2019 median weekly earnings are 85% of the earnings of unioned workers.<\/p>\n

Some of the most prominent unions today include:<\/p>\n