Labour movement

The labour movement (or labor movement) is a broad term for the development of a collective organization of working people, to campaign in their own interest for better treatment from their employers and political governments. Labour unions and trade unions are common names for the specific collective organizations within societies, organized for the purpose of representing the interests of workers and the working class. Many elite-class individuals and political groups may also be active in and part of the labour movement.

History

Main article: Labour history

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Europe the labour movement began during the industrial revolution, when agricultural jobs declined and employment moved to more industrial areas. The idea met with great resistance. In the eighteenth and early nineteenth century groups such as the English Tolpuddle Martyrs were transported for forming unions, which was against the laws of the time.

Related Topics:
Europe - Industrial revolution - English - Tolpuddle Martyrs

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Throughout the world, action by the labour movement has led to reformation and worker's rights, such as the 2-day weekend, minimum wage, and paid holidays. There have been many important labour activists in modern history who have caused changes that were revolutionary at the time and are now regarded as basic. For example, Mary Harris Jones, better known as Mother Jones, was central in the campaign to end child labour in the United States during the early 20th century. An active and free labour movement is considered by many to be an important element in maintaining democracy and for economic development.

Related Topics:
Worker's rights - Weekend - Minimum wage - Holiday - Mother Jones - Child labour - Democracy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A popular bumper sticker in the United States in the 1990s was, "The labor movement; the folks that brought you the weekend."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~