In September of 1934 over 400,000 textile workers from Maine to Alabama walked out of work at various Mills. Thus making this the largest strike in American history. The workers were demanding better working conditions as well as better wages. Mill owners had been using the "stretch out system" to cut costs, which resulted in lay offs, poor working conditions and more work for the employed with less pay. Owners also used the fact that there were pleanty of unemployed people waiting for a job, so complaints would make no difference. Textile workers used the Textile Code which had been established by the NRA through Roosevelt's New Deal as grounds to strike. The code had established a 40 hour maximum work week, as well as $12 minimum weekly wage for the south and $13 for the north, and the right to establish unions. After 3 weeks the strike ended due to various factors including: mill owners refusal to compromise, textile unions lack of resourses, the workers dire financial situations, "and Roosevelt's focus on the need for industrial peace" in order to gain "economic recovery." In the end mill workers had gained non of their requests.
Questions:
1.Would you have continued working in poor working conditions with little wage for more work in a mill? explain why or why not?
2.Do you believe Roosevelt's focus on the need for "Industrial peace" contadicted The National Industrial Recovery Act (NRA) in which his New Deal established?
No comments:
Post a Comment