Unions
became popular with low wage low skilled immigrants in 1880s. Wages for
Laborers averaged $1.20 per day for a 10 hour day, 6 days per week. A loaf of
bread was 4 cents.
Wages are
determined by skill, contribution and labor demand. Wages have fluctuated with
the ups and downs of the economy. Wages are also determined by productivity.
Piece Rate Pay systems pay by unit produced.
Light
Assembly averaged $0.50 a day Iron Ore Miners averaged $1.50 a day. Cigar
Makers $1.50 a day. Truck Drivers averaged $1.75 a day. Steelmakers averaged
$1.80 a day. Coal Miners averaged $2.00 a day. Printers averaged $2.50 a day.
Book Binders averaged $3.00 a day. Blacksmiths averaged $3.00 a day. Machinists
averaged $3.50 a day. Railroad Engineer
$3.50 a day.
Labor was
manual using shovels, pick axes and sledge hammers to mine coal and build
railroads, canals, bridges and buildings. Factory work employed women and
children to sew garments and work on production lines. Labor was a commodity in
the 1800s and wages were negotiated. Skilled workers were in higher demand and
were able to negotiate higher wages. Highly skilled workers were in high
demand.
Technology
transformed construction sites from 1840 to 1920. Blasting powder, Steam shovels and
Jackhammers were used after the 1840s. Blasting powder replaced picks and
shovels, but rock removal was still manual. Coal was shoveled into bins and
moved by rail and then loaded on to wagons and barges.
In the
1900s trucks replaced horse-drawn wagons. The front-end loader, steam tractor,
construction equipment and farm equipment began to appear in 1920s. Since then,
trucks, construction and farm equipment have been redesigned to carry more
material. The increase in productivity makes operator skill more valuable.
Norb
Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
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