The labor movement top 10 transformative impacts on workers' rights and conditions. Here’s a detail on the achievements:
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Workplace Safety: OSHA, established in 1970, set forth regulations and standards that drastically improved safety protocols, reducing workplace hazards and injuries. This agency conducts inspections and provides training and resources to ensure compliance with safety standards.
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Fair Wages: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 established federal minimum wage and overtime pay standards, which have been periodically updated to reflect changes in living costs and economic conditions.
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Child Labor Laws: The Fair Labor Standards Act also addressed child labor, prohibiting children under the age of 14 from working in most jobs and setting work hour limitations for minors aged 14-15, alongside education requirements.
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Labor Rights and Collective Bargaining: The Wagner Act of 1935 (National Labor Relations Act) was a key piece of legislation guaranteeing workers the right to form unions and engage in collective bargaining. This has empowered workers to negotiate better terms and conditions with their employers.
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8-Hour Workday: The movement for the 8-hour workday, championed by labor activists and unions, culminated in significant legislation and has become a standard practice in many countries, contributing to a more balanced work-life environment.
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Paid Leave: Various laws and collective bargaining agreements have established paid leave for various reasons. For example, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons.
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Anti-Discrimination Laws: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent legislation like the Equal Pay Act of 1963 address workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin, and advocate for equal pay for equal work.
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Social Security and Unemployment Benefits: Social Security, established in 1935, provides retirement benefits, disability income, and survivor benefits. Unemployment insurance offers financial support to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
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Worker Protections: Laws protecting against wrongful termination, as well as regulations ensuring fair treatment and nondiscrimination, help maintain workplace integrity and prevent unjust treatment of employees.
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Health Care: Employer-provided health insurance became more prevalent following the establishment of programs like Medicare and Medicaid in the 1960s and through more recent reforms, such as the Affordable Care Act, which expanded access to health care.
These milestones reflect the labor movement's ongoing efforts to promote fairness, safety, and economic security for workers. The continuous push for these improvements has been crucial in shaping modern labor standards and worker protections.