Episode 2

   

The New Deal

     The labor reforms known as the New Deal in the 1930s marked a significant moment in American history. Amidst the Great Depression, the economic downturn, and mass unemployment, and chronic poverty exposed the weaknesses of an economy that did not provide substantial protections for workers. In response to these issues, the federal government of Franklin D. Roosevelt passed a series of New Deal laws to stabilize the economy and lessen a worker's vulnerability to exploitation. During this reform era, new legislation, including the National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) of 1935 and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, raised issues regarding the relationship formed between businesses, workers, and the federal government in the United States, as the New Deal reforms guaranteed things like collective bargaining rights, the establishment of minimum wage laws and regulations regarding child labor standards (Crash Course U.S. History #34: “The New Deal,” 2013). The New Deal created a new standard for workplace equity and it allowed millions of Americans to gain a level of economic security. 

    During this era, one of the key leaders was John L. Lewis, the president of the United Mine Workers, who played an important role in the emergence of industrial unionism. Lewis was critical in connecting workers in major industries such as steel, automotive manufacturing, and mining. Lewis' leadership created the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and focused on uniting workers from various trades and backgrounds to demonstrate the power of the strike to demand higher wages, safer working conditions, and increased protections on the job. Lewis was a key formulator of the modern labor movement, and he helped increase the size of organized labor in America in the 1940s and 1950s (Crash Course U.S. History #34: "The New Deal," 2013). 

1. Reflection Questions How did the economic crisis of the Great Depression create momentum for stronger workers’ rights? 

2. In what ways did New Deal labor laws change the balance of power between workers and business owners? 

3. What elements of the New Deal’s approach to labor might still be useful for addressing workplace issues today? 

References

 Muller, J. (2013). “The New Deal,” Crash Course U.S. History #34.