History and Evolution of the Labor Movement

The Industrial Revolution and Labor Origins

The labor movement emerged during the Industrial Revolution due to the lack of rights granted to workers in factories. It began in England, where, in the absence of regulation, workers were exposed to shifts exceeding twelve hours in unhealthy environments. They faced strict discipline, no security against illness, accidents, dismissal, or retirement, and received very low wages. Child labor was particularly prevalent, as children were attractive targets for employers because their wages were substantially lower.

Luddism and the Shift to Organized Resistance

The first manifestations of the labor movement were reflected in Luddism (the destruction of machines), which was blamed for the loss of purchasing power among small artisans. This term originates from the legendary British worker Ned Ludd, who in 1779 reportedly destroyed two knitting machines and set fire to several factories. However, workers eventually realized that the machine itself was not the enemy, but rather how it was utilized. Consequently, they began to address their grievances directly to employers, leading to the birth of unions as a resistance movement against capitalism.

The Birth of Trade Unions and Mutual Aid

The British government's initial reaction was to ban any type of worker association. As a result, much of early labor history was marked by persecution and secrecy. During the first decades of industrialization, there was a significant deterioration in the living conditions of workers:

• Increased working hours
• Lowering of wages
• Generalization of child labor
• Denial of financial aid for illness, unemployment, or old age

To combat these issues, unions were created where hardworking people of the same trade met to defend their demands through strikes. They formed mutual aid societies, which possessed mutual funds supported by membership fees. In 1834, the Grand National Consolidated Trades Union was formed in Great Britain. In its origins, British trade unionism focused on economic demands without initially adhering to revolutionary political ideals.

Expansion Across Europe and Cooperatives

During the 1830s and 1840s, workers' associations were founded in various European countries, including Germany, France, Spain, and Belgium. Today, the labor movement continues to express itself in most industrialized countries through organizations such as cooperatives.