IntroductionThe history of unions dates back to the late 1700s. Without strong leadership, workers have rarely been able to improve their wages or working conditions. However, as effective leaders began to emerge, labor became a force demanding to be recognized by business and government. Change has come slowly, but thanks to the efforts of some forward-thinking union leaders, major changes have finally been achieved in the world of work. Historical Legal Status of Unions Traces the evolution of the legal status of American unions. What activities have been restricted by laws and courts? Did constraints increase or decrease over time? Early organized workers had no government support and were often eliminated by legislation and court decisions. The “conspiracy doctrine” of the late 1700s established that most collective activities violated the interests of the public and were therefore illegal (Fossum, 2012, p. 29). As Fossum (2012) points out, organized trade and industrial labor had limited success in obtaining more favorable wages and working hours during the early 1800s, but the courts continued to interfere with most businesses collective. During the second half of the 19th century, the National Labor Union, the Knights of Labor, and the American Federal of Labor achieved some success using strikes, arbitration, and negotiation by union representatives (Fossum, 2012). However, economic instability has led to government-ordered use of law enforcement, federal troops, violence, and threats of federal criminal charges to halt union activities (Fossum, 2012). The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 further limited collective action by forcing unions to pay punitive damages for their activities which they were determined to resolve......middle of paper......Colorado State University-Global Campus. (2013). Module 1 – Evolution of American Work [Blackboard Course]. In MGT 516 – Employees and labor relations (p. 1-3). Greenwood Village, CO: Author.Fossum, J. (2012). Work relationships: development, structure, process. (11th ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 978‐0078029158Labour Party. (2012). A call for economic justice: the Labor Party programme. Retrieved from http://thelaborparty.org/d_program.htmLewis, D. L., & Brown, N. L. (1968). America's greatest labor leaders. Personnel Management Quarterly (Pre-1986), 7(3), 32-39. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/195875229?accountid=38569Wheeler, H. (2004). Manufacturers of the world unite! A return of reformist trade unionism?. Labor Studies Journal, 29(3), 81-100.Yellowitz, I. (1989). Samuel Gompers: half a century at the forefront of the Labor movement. Monthly work review, 112(7), 27.