Labor Unions Negotiation Game
In Europe, the labor 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 early 19th century, groups such as the Tolpuddle Martyrs of Dorset were punished and transported for forming unions, which was against the laws of the time.
Trade unionism was active during the early to mid 19th century and various labor parties and trade unions were formed throughout the industrialized parts of the world. The International Workingmen's Association, the first attempt at international coordination, was founded in London in 1864. The major issues included the right of the workers to organize themselves, and the right to an 8-hour working day. In 1871 workers in France rebelled and the Paris Commune was formed. From the mid-nineteenth century onward the labor movement became increasingly globalized.
Trade unionism was active during the early to mid 19th century and various labor parties and trade unions were formed throughout the industrialized parts of the world. The International Workingmen's Association, the first attempt at international coordination, was founded in London in 1864. The major issues included the right of the workers to organize themselves, and the right to an 8-hour working day. In 1871 workers in France rebelled and the Paris Commune was formed. From the mid-nineteenth century onward the labor movement became increasingly globalized.
Introduction:
The year is 1880.
Mr. Junko (CEO and founder of Junk International)
Mr. Junko is a rich British industrialist. He grew up in a poor immigrant family and started working in a coal mine when he was 10 years old. After working for nearly 30 years Mr. Junko saved enough money to start his own small company. Despite the vast sums of money his company generates, Mr. Junko gives nothing to charity and has no concern for the plight of the people who work at his factories. In fact, Mr. Junko does not even know the horrible conditions that some of his own employees live and work in, claiming that if the jobs are so terrible, the employees should just quit. Mr. Junko is extremely nervous about the prospect of his employees unionizing. He has seen the negative effects that worker strikes have had on the profits of other large companies and is determined to keep his employees from unionizing by blacklisting any workers he is told have an association with the unions. Workers who have been hired in the last year have been asked to sign yellow dog contracts to prevent them from joining a union.
Junk International
Junk International is rapidly expanding and now owns and operates a textile mill and a foundry in Manchester. Junk International is known for buying out smaller companies in an effort to remove all competitors, allowing it to set its own prices. By being the only company of its kind (a monopoly) Junk International can charge higher prices since people have nowhere else to turn for many of the goods the company produces.
Mr. Junko (CEO and founder of Junk International)
Mr. Junko is a rich British industrialist. He grew up in a poor immigrant family and started working in a coal mine when he was 10 years old. After working for nearly 30 years Mr. Junko saved enough money to start his own small company. Despite the vast sums of money his company generates, Mr. Junko gives nothing to charity and has no concern for the plight of the people who work at his factories. In fact, Mr. Junko does not even know the horrible conditions that some of his own employees live and work in, claiming that if the jobs are so terrible, the employees should just quit. Mr. Junko is extremely nervous about the prospect of his employees unionizing. He has seen the negative effects that worker strikes have had on the profits of other large companies and is determined to keep his employees from unionizing by blacklisting any workers he is told have an association with the unions. Workers who have been hired in the last year have been asked to sign yellow dog contracts to prevent them from joining a union.
Junk International
Junk International is rapidly expanding and now owns and operates a textile mill and a foundry in Manchester. Junk International is known for buying out smaller companies in an effort to remove all competitors, allowing it to set its own prices. By being the only company of its kind (a monopoly) Junk International can charge higher prices since people have nowhere else to turn for many of the goods the company produces.
Lists of Roles
Click on the role you were assigned to read a brief description of your character and what they want.
- Johnny (spindle feeder, child labor)
- Elizabeth (textile workers, women)
- Samuel (shoe-maker, skilled worker)
- Andrew (manager)
- Eugene (boiler, unskilled worker)
- Pauline (textile worker, women)
- Pinkerton (strikebreakers, scabs)
- Scott (recent immigrant seeking work)
- Edward (older, skilled worker)
- Nicola (immigrant, unskilled)
- Dorothy (textile worker, women)
- William (skilled apprentice)
- Henry (unskilled labor)
- Jacob (unskilled labor)