A Historical Look at Labor Unions and How Workers Fought for Safety

Two construction workers wearing yellow safety helmets and neon reflective vests stand side by side in front of a yellow excavator, smiling at the camera.

For more than a century, workers in the United States have come together to demand fair treatment, better wages and safer working conditions. Labor unions, organized groups that represent employees, have played a major role in improving life on the job.

Though the struggle has been long and often difficult, unions have made a lasting impact on workplace safety and workers' rights across many industries.

The Origins of Labor Unions in America

Labor unions in the U.S. date back to the early 1800s, when workers began organizing in response to low pay, long hours and dangerous working environments. Early labor groups like the National Labor Union, formed in 1866, tried to unite skilled workers across trades. Their efforts helped bring attention to harsh factory conditions during the Industrial Revolution.

One of the most well-known early unions was the American Federation of Labor (AFL), founded in 1886 by Samuel Gompers. Unlike earlier attempts, the AFL focused on skilled laborers and aimed for realistic goals such as higher wages and shorter workdays.

Even though it didn't welcome all workers equally, the AFL became a strong voice for employee rights in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Exclusion and Integration

While unions made progress for many workers, they also left out large groups of people for many years. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many unions excluded black workers, women and immigrants. Racial segregation and sexism meant that some of the hardest-working people were not allowed to join or lead unions.

Over time, things began to change. The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), founded in the 1930s, was more open to including women and people of all races and backgrounds.

Black leaders like A. Philip Randolph, who organized the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, fought both employers and racism within unions. Women played a big part in labor actions, especially during World War II, when they filled jobs in factories while men were away at war. Immigrant workers also gained more power by organizing in fields like farming, textiles and construction.

Battles for Worker Protection in Private Industry

Before unions gained power, workplace safety was one of the most urgent issues facing workers, especially in mining, steel and manufacturing. Injuries and deaths on the job were common, and employers faced little pressure to protect their workers.

Tragic events like the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, in which 146 garment workers died due to locked exits and unsafe conditions, shocked the public and added momentum to safety reforms.

In the coal mining industry, unions like the United Mine Workers of America pushed for better ventilation, medical care and inspections. These changes didn't come easily: Workers went on strike, faced violence and were sometimes even killed for demanding safer workplaces.

Legislative Victories for Laborers' Rights

Labor unions helped push lawmakers to pass major laws that protected workers. The 1914 Clayton Antitrust Act protected the right of workers to go on strike. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 set limits on working hours and created a national minimum wage. And the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), passed in 1970, gave the federal government power to enforce health and safety rules in the workplace.

Unions also helped secure workers' compensation laws that provided support to people injured on the job. Over time, labor groups helped shape policies that became the foundation of modern job protections.

Growth of Unions in the 20th Century

After World War II, labor unions became a powerful force in American life. By the 1950s, more than a third of the workforce belonged to a union. Workers in industries like auto manufacturing, steel, shipping and education gained better wages and benefits and safer working environments through collective bargaining.

Union membership helped build the American middle class. Jobs that once paid poorly became stable careers, and union members often had access to health care, retirement plans and paid leave. However, tensions with employers and political opponents remained, and unions continued to face pushback.

The State of Labor Unions Today

Today, union membership in the U.S. is lower than it was in the mid-20th century. Changes in the economy, automation and anti-union laws have all played a part. Still, workers in sectors like education, health care and even technology are once again turning to unions to improve working conditions.

In recent years, new organizing efforts have focused on issues like mental health, flexible schedules and protections for gig and contract workers. Though the challenges are different, the core mission remains the same: giving workers a voice and making jobs safer and fairer for everyone.