Village of Yellow Springs, Ohio

Created by designer Estelle Carol in 2011 emphasizing all the aspects that Unions touch on including: civil rights, minimum wage, sick leave, gender equality, paid vacations and holidays, disable worker accessibility, sexual harassment remedies, seniority protection, healthcare benefits, child labor laws, pensions and unemployment compensation among many others. 

Labor unions started in the 18th century and the industrial revolution in Europe. During this time there was a huge surge of new workers into the workplace that needed representation.

In the United States history of unions, early workers and trade unions played an important part in the role for independence. Although their physical efforts for the cause of independence were ineffective, the ideas they introduced, such as protection for workers, became part of our American culture.

In the history of America's trade and labor unions, the most famous union remains the American Federation of Labor (AFL), founded in 1886 by Samuel Gompers. At its peak, the AFL had approximately 1.4 million members. The AFL is credited with successfully negotiating wage increases for its members and enhancing workplace safety for all workers.

During the Great Depression the discontent of industrial workers, combined with New Deal collective bargaining legislation, at last brought the great mass production industries within striking distance. 

Union membership and power peaked around 1970. At that time, private sector union membership began a steady decline that continues today. However, membership in public sector unions continues to grow consistently.


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