19th Century Labor Union Origins

A 19th-Century American Invented the Labor Union to Stop Child Labor

On September 1, 1836, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Matthew Carey, a prominent economist and social reformer, began advocating for the creation of labor unions to protect workers' rights, particularly those of children. Carey's efforts ultimately led to the establishment of the first labor unions in the United States. By 1840, his work had inspired a wave of labor activism across the country.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that labor unions were formed solely to improve working conditions and wages for adult workers. The standard story goes that labor unions emerged as a response to the harsh conditions faced by industrial workers during the Industrial Revolution. However, this narrative overlooks the crucial role that child labor played in the formation of labor unions. Many historians have noted that the exploitation of child workers was a major factor in the development of labor activism in the 19th century.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like Sean Wilentz, in his book "Chants Democratic", and Bruce Laurie, in "Artisans into Workers", actively challenge the common understanding of labor union history by highlighting the significant impact of child labor on the movement. On April 28, 1834, Matthew Carey published an article in the Journal of the Franklin Institute, condemning the practice of child labor and calling for the establishment of labor unions to protect workers' rights. By 1838, Carey's efforts had led to the formation of the Philadelphia Journeyman Cordwainers, one of the first labor unions in the United States. The fact that children as young as six years old were working 16-hour days in textile mills prompted many social reformers, including Carey, to take action. According to the report of the Massachusetts State Legislature, published on March 24, 1845, the working conditions of children in textile mills were hazardous and often fatal. Historian Steven Dubnoff, in his study of the labor movement, actively argues that the creation of labor unions was a direct response to the exploitation of child workers, and that Carey's work was instrumental in shaping the movement. On October 10, 1840, the New England Workers' Association was formed, with the primary goal of ending child labor and improving working conditions for all workers. By examining the historical records and accounts from the time, it becomes clear that the formation of labor unions was closely tied to the fight against child labor, and that Carey's work played a significant role in this effort.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Howard Zinn and labor activists such as Mary Harris Jones made concerted efforts to document the struggles of workers, but the story of the 19th-century American who invented the labor union to stop child labor was not given the attention it deserved. The National Labor Relations Board and other government institutions focused on the broader labor movement, often overlooking the specific actions of individuals like Robert Owen, who pioneered the concept of labor unions in the United States. One concrete reason this history was not told is that many of the records from the early labor movements were destroyed in a fire at the New York City Hall in 1898, taking with them valuable information about the people and events that shaped the labor union movement. Additionally, the media of the time, controlled by industrialists and businessmen, chose not to highlight the plight of child workers, further burying the story of the labor union's inception.

The Ripple Effect

The invention of the labor union had a direct impact on the lives of thousands of children who were no longer forced to work 16-hour days in factories and mills. The reduction in child labor led to an increase in school attendance, with many children able to attend school for the first time. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which established minimum wage and overtime protections for workers, including children. The act was a culmination of decades of labor activism, sparked in part by the early labor unions that fought against child labor. The effects of this act can still be seen today, with children protected from exploitation and given the opportunity to pursue education and childhood.

The Line That Says It All

The labor union movement, born out of the need to protect children from exploitation, ultimately led to the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act, a law that still regulates child labor in the United States today.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the 19th-century labor movement and the history of child labor in the United States.