July 23, 2014: Rise and Decline of Labor Unions in Britain, Australia and the US

As agricultural jobs declined and employment moved to more industrial areas a labor movement began in Europe. The idea met with great resistance. In the 20th century and early 19th century, groups were punished for forming unions, which was against the laws of the time.

Founded in London in 1864 the International Workingmen's Association was the first attempt at international coordination -- key points were the right of the workers to organize themselves and the right to an 8 hour working day. In 1871 the workers in France rebelled and the Paris Commune was formed. From the mid-nineteenth century onward the labor movement become increasingly globalized.  Labor has been central to the modern globalization process. The movement of workers, the emergence of a global division of labor, organized responses to capitalist production, and the relevance of labor to globalization is not new.  However less attention is given in recognizing the labor movement’s significance in shaping the world.