Limitations of the Labor Unions

Ultimately, the labor unions formed in the later half of the nineteenth century did little to change regulations or standard treatment of workers across America. Awareness became the most successful accomplishment of those labor unions. The Haymarket Square Riot resulted in a loss of support for the Knights as Labor, as they were portrayed as violent and disrespectful anarchists. What began as a rally in support of striking unionists on May 4, 1886, ended with an unknown person throwing a bomb into the crowd. Th bomb and ensuing gunfire resulted in eight police deaths and many more civilian deaths. In the internationally publicized legal proceedings that followed, eight anarchists were tried for murder. Four were put to death, and one committed suicide in prison. Unsurprisingly, this discredited the Knights of Labor, leading to their unsuccessful end rapidly. Strikes were a useful weapon used by unions as a method to obtain rights. However, they often led to a reasonable association of labor unions to violence, fines, and jail time. Labor unions often had opposite effects on hiring companies, who had employers sign Yellow Dog contracts before hiring them. Wage earners became wary of unions after employers began keeping track of members on Black Lists, which made employment difficult for all who had their names on them. Overall, considering merely short term goals, labor unions had possibly more adverse effects than successes. Ultimately, however, they brought necessary attention to social reform in working environment.