13.6 – Read the Text #4: Putting It All Together

READING TEXT
Module 13: Industrialization and Labor

For most of history, people were very closely connected to their work. They hunted animals, found food or grew crops through farming, worked at their own small businesses, and served people directly. They could exchange goods and services (for example, give eggs to get wood from a neighbor). In the mid-1700s, people invented machines such as the steam engine and the sewing machine. These machines worked quickly and efficiently. Businesses started to produce goods in factories. There were now large companies, instead of individuals or families working by themselves. This development is called the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution started in Great Britain. It later spread to other countries, including the American colonies (which later became the United States). Because of the Industrial Revolution, cities started growing quickly, since people migrated from rural areas to work at factories and companies in the cities.

Machines helped make workplaces more automated during the Industrial Revolution. Businesses created products more efficiently, and their goal was to sell more products. Many people started working on only one part of the product and had less connection to their labor than in the past, because they weren’t making a complete product. The owners and managers now had more power and money than the workers who were making products.

Sometimes the leaders of companies did not want to spend money in order to make working conditions safe. Workers started to talk to each other about their problems, like unsafe working conditions, unfair pay, long hours, and the lack of employment protections for children, old people, or people with disabilities. Workers wanted to fight for their rights. They organized unions in industries, such as mining, metalwork, healthcare, and education.

Workers often have more power when they unite in large groups. Unions work together to negotiate with company owners and organizational leaders for better pay and working conditions. In addition to helping employees, labor unions also try to support good behavior by the company toward the world. Unions can help companies and workers thrive and be successful. However, unions can only achieve these goals when the system (which includes the companies, the workers, the public, and the government) supports unions. Today, about 10% of the workers in the U.S. are unionized.

The graph below shows how much workers in different industries earned in wages each week in 2022. One number shows how much union members make and the other number shows how much non-union members make in the same industry. For example, many union members with jobs in transportation and warehouses (storing products) make about $1,203 per week; however, non-union workers in this industry make $909 per week.

Since the 1800s, communication and transportation technologies have continued to change and improve. As a result, companies can now do business with many countries across the world and grow much bigger. We call this “globalization”. Globalization describes the connection of systems of trade, technology, and travel to share resources and ideas all over the world. We can share information quickly and communicate easily across the globe. Therefore, developing digital skills and learning about new technologies is an important part of lifelong learning for workers.

Today, workers usually have the opportunity to consider many different industries. They can think about the type of work they might like to do and choose the type of company or organization where they would prefer to work. When you are considering a career pathway, you may ask yourself:

• What kind of education, training, and experience do I need to prepare for this career pathway?
• What new skills will I need to learn for this job over time?
• Will this workplace offer me good pay and benefits; like paid time off (PTO), insurance, and retirement savings?
• Are the conditions safe and respectful, and do workers have support from management or a union if they need help with problems at work?
• As the workforce changes over time, does this pathway have good employment opportunities (such as open positions and options for promotion)?

It’s necessary for people to think about all of these questions (and more) so they can find work that helps them live healthy, happy lives as citizens of the global community.

NEXT: Think about and apply what you learned from the module text!