The Steam Engine and Electricity Powered the Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution was an extremely important historical process in which the societies and cultures in the West, and then throughout the world, transformed under the influence of technological and scientific progress. The Western world, as industrialized as it is today, is the final result. Two major inventions, the steam engine and electricity, were both crucial parts of the technological progress that turned the wheels of the Industrial Revolution. According to World History From 1500 by J. Michael Allen and James B. Allen, the Industrial Revolution could not have happened without a new, reliable source of power (144). The steam engine became such a source. Before the steam engine all industries used manpower, horsepower, and the power of water and wind to drive the machines. All these means were not efficient and practical enough to satisfy the rising needs for energy – the solution – steam engine. The first practical low-pressure models of “steam engines were invented by Thomas Savery and Thomas Newcomen in 1698 and 1705, respectively” (Allen & Allen 144). Used exclusively as water pumps throughout the first three quarters of the eighteenth century, they drastically improved the mining industry. In Great Britain, the motherland of the Industrial Revolution, this resolved a severe energy crisis. Coal, extracted from earth by mining, now could be produced in sufficient quantities to replace firewood, supplies of which were practically exhausted. And since these water pumps were specifically designed to consume coal, it was extra beneficial to use them in the coal mining industry. As T. K. Derry and Trevor I. Williams stat... ... middle of paper ... ... world in general. Without them mankind could not possibly achieve even a fraction of what had been achieved. They were also great symbols of what Western thought could do with economic progress and right social conditions, clearing the way for greater inventions and setting in motion the brilliance of the twentieth-century scientific and technological advancements. Works Cited Allen, Michael J., and James B.Allen. World History From 1500. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1993. Derry, T. K., and Trevor Williams. A Short History of Technology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1961. “Invention of the Telegraph.” Speedwell Village Museum. Apr 17, 2002 Larsen, Egon. A History of the Invention. New York: Roy Publishers, 1969. Money and Power. Pres. Roger Mudd. History Channel Special Presentation. Dec 31, 1999.
Sloane. A. A., Witney, F. (2010). LABOR RELATIONS (13th editions). Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, NJ
Brody’s argument towards collective bargaining post WWII between employers and unions implemented the workplace rule of law. The collective bargaining agreements help resolve workplace disputes between employees and their employers along with a union organization (if present). Weber’s theory of bureaucratic authority is a rational authority where the rule is distributed and no one person is in charge. The workplace rule of law is a bureaucratic form of authority; throughout the hierarchical organization chart no one is in charge of making the decision instead, the rule is what guides the organization. For many workers in the 1940’s the increase in wages and their incentives drove them towards joining unions and striking for equality, “…postwar enthusiasm for incentives derived partly from effective union policing…” (Brody, 175) Industrial workers saw both a loss in wages in the late 1940 is compared to ten years later when they finally saw a better life for themselves; union contracts provided them a life towards the middle class. Previously employers would hire those within their family to be managers and hold positions higher up in the chain, which would take away chances from the employees when they try to move up from their current position, “The management of the office follows general rules, which are more or less stable…” (Weber, 198) Many emplo...
...ners and set on their dreams. However, as Bechdel grew older, she became aware of the reality of her childhood. She was able to become a strong and confident women who is not ashamed to show her true identity to society. In contrast, Allison wanted to stay true to who she was as she matured into adulthood and did not allow any person alter her path. Even if she does become self-conscious at times, self-identification is held high on her priorities. Both women discovered and formed exclusive personalities through life experiences and are not going to alter their ways for any one person or societal pressures.
“Unions are about collective leverage, the power of numbers versus the power of capital” - Canadian entrepreneur, Kevin O’Leary. The American workplace has not always provided protections for employees. Until the early 20th century business owners held all of the power in the employee/employer relationship. Workers were subjected to extremely long hours, low wages and dangerous working conditions, with no recourse or protections. Organized labor over the last century challenged the position and power of employers and lobbied the government to create laws and policies that would protect workers and create safer working environments for employees. The majority of policies that today’s average employee takes for granted, such as the eight
Howe, Helen, and Robert T. Howe. A World History: Ancient and Medieval Worlds. Volume 1. White Plains, NY: Longman, 1992. 533.
In collective bargaining, employers too are stakeholders and ensuring that their interests are not compromised is important. Particularly, this is the case when the employees’ interests are conflicting with those of the employers. For example, a demand for shorter working hours by the workers would compromise the interests of the employer to enhancing productivity, which is part of their management mandate. In the collective bargaining agreement, some of the employers’ interests covered include managerial responsibility, safety standards, and disciplinary responsibility (Budd 11). The issue of employers’ rights is crucial to collective bargaining agreements because of the nature of the employer-employee relationship. Notably, collective bargaining is primarily based on strengthening or managing this relationship to the satisfaction of all parties. Therefore, without ensuring that the rights and responsibilities of each party are clearly stipulated in the collective bargaining agreement, the risk of one party’s interests being met at the expense of the other is real. A good example of how the issue of employer rights is featured in collective bargaining agreement occurred at one of the General Motors plants in Tonawanda where the management and workers agreed to work as partners rather than as antagonists (Pritchard Para
The New Deal Era (1930’s) pushed for the legalization of collective bargaining among several other labor laws, which resulted in the formation of unions. When looking back, the result of collective bargaining can be seen around the world. Countries worldwide have unions to protect both employees and companies, and even governments. China, for example, maintains labor unions to pacify angry workers and aid in keeping governmental control. Without collective bargaining statutes how could unions exist? Employees would not have the protection, the negotiation capabilities, or the assistance in finding new work. The Wagner Act also provid...
Labor unions have been in America for a very long time. There are many unions in a myriad of different fields. Labor unions were and are used to allow for equal treatment of workers. Employers always want to maximize their profits and they try to give the least to get the most in return. For reasons such as this is why unions were formed. Generally a union boss is appointed or hired to protect the rights and privileges of the employees. The union boss is generally very representative of the demographics of the workers. The leader of the employees needs to know what they want and what is fair for them and this is why he tends to represent one type of work force, such as the teachers union. This type of representation is made easier when most of the workers come from the same background. Background meaning family size, education, race, etc. Labor unions have helped shape the American work force, as have the backgrounds of the men and women who have worked in them. America was founded on diversity and the freedom to choose. Many different backgrounds have found their way into America and labor unions. As stated earlier, labor unions have people of the same background in them. America’s first settlers were generally of the same background and because of that, so were the members of the first labor unions. As the United States expanded so did the work force and the diversity in it. Diversity and understanding the challenges and benefits is what enables America to be great. In the pages of this paper we are going to look at the change in the make-up of labor unions by the entrance of African-Americans and how they have influenced America and the labor unions for the better. This paper is and expansions on my paper “A Shield Against the Power of Industrial Capitalism”.
Throughout American history, labor unions have served to facilitate mediation between workers and employers. Workers seek to negotiate with employers for more control over their labor and its fruits. “A labor union can best be defined as an organization that exists for the purpose of representing its members to their employers regarding wages and terms and conditions of employment” (Hunter). Labor unions’ principal objectives are to increase wages, shorten work days, achieve greater benefits, and improve working conditions. Despite these goals, the early years of union formation were characterized by difficulties (Hunter).
Unions have an extensive history of standing up for workers. They have advocated rights of steelworkers, coal miners, clothing factory employees, teachers, health care workers, and many others. The labor movement is based on the idea that organized workers as a group have more power than individuals would have on their own. The key purpose of any union is to negotiate contracts, making sure workers are respected and fairly compensated for their work. “In theory” unions are democratic organizations, resulting in varying inner authority. Workers look for security within a job a...
Unions traditionally were “a continuous association of wage earners for the purpose of maintaining or improving the condition of their employment” (Webb & Webb, 1894, as cited in Bryson, 2011b, slide 7). Their function was to campaign for compassionate management procedures, equivalent bargaining power between employers and employees, and for fairness and democracy to be initiated into the workplace (Bryson, 2011a). Union activity at this time tended to focus on nationwide bargaining for industrial groups (Geare, 1983, as cited in Haynes, 2005), with their role seen as wage bargainers and in...
In the past, workers worked long hours in the worst of working conditions six days a week with little pay. Now a days, that is unheard of, and illegal. Unions have contributed much to eliminate all of the injustices in the labor force. Unions have advocated for labor laws and regulations that protect workers in the labor force. As a result, the National Labor Relations Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act were passed. Unions act as the voice of the workers by identifying where laws and regulations are needed. According to the article “Unions Today” on UnionPlus.com, “Employers are trying to shred responsibility for providing health insurance, good pensions coverage, reasonable work hours and job safety protections”. Employers these days are trying to get away with not having to pay for health benefits for their employees, especially now that Obamacare is in effect. This is affecting workers today because people are losing their jobs or are given less hours, therefore making it hard for them sustain themselves or a family. In today’s economy prices are only going up, so having a job is necessary. With unions, Americans can demand better pay and more work hours f...
McKay, J/P/, Hill, B.D., Buckler, J., Ebrey, P.B., Beck, R.B., Crowston, C.H., & Wiesner-Hanks, M.E. (2008). A History of World Societies, Volume A: From Antiquity to 1500. New York, NY: Bedford/St. Martin's
Labor relations have emerged as an important element in the work environment since they help determine labor practices. Regardless of the industry or market where they operate, organizations are required to have policies that contribute to fair treatment of employees as part of ensuring effective labor relations. While organizations and employers understand the significance of effective labor relations, some of them do not ensure suitable labor policies and practices for employees, which results in significant challenges. This tendency has contributed to the emergence of labor unions that adopt various measures and approaches towards promoting effective labor practices and relations in the work environment. The unions utilize the various measures including collective bargaining based on the provisions of The National Labor Relations Act.
Labor relations emerged as response towards combating the economic unrest that accompanied the 1930 Great depression. At this period, massive unemployment, decreasing salary and wages, and over competition for jobs despite poor working conditions, was being experience; especially in the US. In turn employees were aggravated and therefore resorted to labor strike that often escalated to violence. To avoid such incident that could potentially harm further an ailing economy, the US government set precedent by passing their first related Labor relationship act, also referred to as the Wagner act. This act excluded public sector and some employees in the informal sector, farm workers to be specific. However, the progressive change in business and labor environment, necessitated changes in the labor laws to ensure they are more inclusive (Haywood & Sijtsma, 2000).