The Homestead Strike
Paper 1;
What was the greater force at the Homestead Steel Mill in 1892-The differences or the commonalities between skilled and unskilled workers?
There were two types of workers in the Homestead Steel Mill that consisted of the skilled and the unskilled workers. These workers had differences and commonalities that are discussed below.
There were eight hundred skilled workers that were the minority at the mill. The minority workers from the ambulated Iron and Steelworkers. The committee of workers helped decide who to do work and at what time. Due to much knowledge, these committees were able to decide everything including the materials to be used and how the work should be done. American-born represented the majority of skilled workers and their ancestors originated from Northern Europe. The skilled workers could not be easily evicted as they had a union that defended them.
The majority of workers were the unskilled workers in the organization. The did unskilled and dirty work in the organization such as shovelling, lifting and pushing. They were subjected to long working hours that was twelve hours in a day. They received two vocational days in every year and poor pay. The union did not organize these people as they had little interest in them. Immigrants represented the highest figure of the unskilled workers that came from Eastern Europe and they were not capable of speaking English. The unskilled workers did not have a union that could defend them.
Both workers had some commonalities which included; The rates of accidents were tremendous at the organization both workers were subject to accidents. Deaths from burnings, electric shocks, crushing and falls were very common. The skilled and the unskilled workers’ residence in different neighbourhoods and their houses were in the company’s ownership.
The stronger force at the Homestead Steel Mill in 1892 was the differences between the skilled and the unskilled workers. This is because after the expiry of the contract the organization was to eliminate all trade unions which were owned by skilled workers to make maximum profit. This is because the differences led to favouring of the unskilled workers by the later terms of the company
Paper 2;
In the organization, I would like to work as an unskilled worker. As an unskilled worker, I would be able to do all that may have designated work in a positive view. Work choosing could not be my option, this is because this could lead to immediate sacking as unskilled workers have no unions which could protect their rights and the availability of new personnel to replace me would be much available. In this post respect to the skilled workers would be a key point to follow since they have much knowledge about the activities done by the organization. Following the designated instructions to avoid injuries and accidents would be my main point of view. Hard work would be the next thing to follow, this would help me in retaining the job as replacements could be simple in case of laziness.
My view of work could be different from those of skilled workers. This is because my level could not be compared to those of the skilled workers. I would ensure that I always attend my duties early enough just like any other worker to carry out may duties, the unskilled workers should also ensure that they are always neatly dressed to help in portraying the good view of the organization. I would ensure that the skilled workers do not influence my working negatively according to the guidelines of the organization since this could lead to the sacking and employment of new ones easily. My differences between the skilled ones could not affect my work as we have different capabilities.
During working, challenges may occur in different ways. As unskilled worker am subjected to very unpleasant conditions which include poor pay, heavy works, a barrier from forming trade unions. This could lead to unnecessary snacking. The skilled workers subject us to discriminations and try to subject us to their own work at the workplace. The employer discriminates the unskilled workers as they try to take advantage of them to make much.
My biggest aspirations are working perfectly hoping that the organization considers the hard work and later on promote my service to a higher level than could be of favour to my conditions. Working hard would also help me in achieving and helping me in attaining my basic needs.