By Clark Walburger

The roots of modern labor unions can be traced incredibly far back. One such example is the medieval guilds of Europe (who in turn have their origins rooted in Roman Collegium and Assyrian merchant organizations). These organizations, which were formed to regulate the trades and protect the interests of their members, laid the foundation for the collective bargaining and worker solidarity that are now a central aspect of the modern labor movement. 

Guilds emerged in central Europe during the Middle Ages, when trade and commerce were booming. These organizations were composed of skilled workers in a particular craft, such as blacksmiths, carpenters, or weavers. The guilds provided a range of services to their members, including training, apprenticeships, and protection from competition. But perhaps most relevantly, the guilds established a system of collective bargaining which allowed workers to negotiate with their employers for better wages, working conditions, and benefits. This system of worker solidarity was based on the principle of mutual aid, in which guild members banded together to support one another in times of need. 

Over time, the guilds began to wield significant economic and political power, and they became important players in the feudal societies of medieval Europe. However, with the rise of capitalism and the Industrial Revolution, the guilds began to decline in power and influence. Today many exist only in a ceremonial capacity, while some have transitioned into modern charities. 

However, the legacy of the guilds lived on. In the 19th century, as workers in Europe and the United States began to organize for their rights (such as the Knights of Labor), they drew inspiration from the guilds of old. They formed unions and labor organizations that were based on the same principles of collective bargaining and worker solidarity that had been established by the guilds centuries before. Like the guilds, modern labor unions provide a range of services to their members, including training, legal representation, and protection from discrimination and harassment. 

Perhaps most importantly, they allow workers to come together to negotiate for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. The legacy of the guilds can be seen in the modern labor movement in many ways. Unions still use similar tactics of collective bargaining and worker solidarity that were established by the guilds. They also promote the same values of mutual aid and social responsibility that were at the heart of the guilds' mission. 

The modern labor movement has come a long way since the days of the guilds. But the legacy of worker solidarity that was established by these medieval organizations lives on. As workers continue to fight for their rights and demand greater economic and social justice, they stand on the shoulders of the guilds and their centuries-old legacy of collective action and worker solidarity.

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877

The Depression of 1873 had hit much of the country hard. Even the vastly successful Baltimore and Ohio Railroad company which was one of the most successful railroad companies in the United States. In an effort to cut costs, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad often cut wages.

After the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad station in Martinsburg, West Virginia cut wages for the third time in one year, this time cutting it by over 10 percent. The workers already before the cuts could barely support themselves or their families. The workers at the station decided to go on strike on July 14th, 1877. They decided that no train will leave the station until the pay cut was reversed.

The workers set up picket lines to prevent replacement workers or "scabs" from entering railroad yards and they also used violence and intimidation to scare the "scabs" away.

The strike spread quickly to other cities and states. This was one of the first times that a strike spread such vast distances across the country. The strike spread to cities such as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Chicago, Buffalo and St Louis among others. Soon, many newspaper across the country picked up on the Great Railroad Strike and began to write about it. There were many people across the country that were sympathetic to the striker's cause.

In response to the strike many local municipalities raised local police and sometimes troops to quell the strike. Ultimately, President Hayes had to send federal troops from city to city to stop the strikes and disperse the crowd. It was after this that the strikes began to lose steam.

Within a few months the strike had put down but its effects were felt on the United States and labor unions across the country. Many of the striking members joined organizations like the Knights of Labor. While the striking workers did not get paid the higher wages that they wanted, in the end the strike paved the way for future strikes to continue.

By Clark Walburger

In the United States, Labor Day is a national holiday that is celebrated on the first Monday in September. For many Americans, it simply marks the end of summer and the beginning of the fall season. However it is much more than that, Labor Day is a day to honor the contributions of American workers and to recognize the power of labor unions in securing workers' rights and protections. 

The origins of Labor Day can be traced back to the late 19th century, when workers in the United States began organizing for better wages, working conditions, and benefits. In 1882, the first Labor Day parade was held in New York City, and it quickly became an annual tradition in cities and towns across the country. 

Labor unions played a central role in the early Labor Day celebrations, and they continue to be a driving force in the labor movement today. Unions represent millions of workers in the United States, and they have fought for many of the rights and protections that workers now take for granted, such as the eight-hour workday, the minimum wage, and workplace safety regulations. 

However, labor unions still face many challenges today, including attacks from anti-union politicians and businesses. As we celebrate Labor Day this year, it is important to remember the ongoing struggle for worker rights and to support the efforts of unions in securing a better future for all American workers.