A short history of shorter working hours
An important but neglected history has been the history of reduced working hours. Some say this history started when God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. It certainly involves the Jewish sabbath and the Christian day of rest on Sundays.
The modern history of work hours begins with the extremely long hours scheduled in mines and mills in the early days of the Industrial Revolutions. Workers organized to gain a 10-hour day and then an 8-hour day. A general strike was held on May 1, 1886, in the United States to seek the 8-hour day. This is the origin of the May Day labor holiday that is celebrated around the world.
In the 20th Century, strikes continued for an 8-hour day in the United States. There was also, however, a move from 6-day weeks to 5-day weeks. Henry Ford put his automobile factories on a 5-day, 40-hour weekly schedule in 1926.
When the Great Depression hit, the U.S. Senate passed bill that would have created a 5-day, 30-hour week but it was quietly opposed by the incoming Roosevelt administration. Hours reductions were, however, part of the NRA codes. In 1938, the Roosevelt administration and Congress enacted the Fair Labor Standards Act which legally established the 40-hour workweek.
It was expected that work hours would decline further after World War II. Some reduction in hours took place but mostly progress stalled. Organized labor, to its detriment, gradually abandoned its traditional goal of winning shorter hours. In recent years, however, a small group has emerged, comprising both union members and those outside the labor movement, which sees shorter work hours as a way to increase human happiness and reduce environmental degradation.
1104518725
The modern history of work hours begins with the extremely long hours scheduled in mines and mills in the early days of the Industrial Revolutions. Workers organized to gain a 10-hour day and then an 8-hour day. A general strike was held on May 1, 1886, in the United States to seek the 8-hour day. This is the origin of the May Day labor holiday that is celebrated around the world.
In the 20th Century, strikes continued for an 8-hour day in the United States. There was also, however, a move from 6-day weeks to 5-day weeks. Henry Ford put his automobile factories on a 5-day, 40-hour weekly schedule in 1926.
When the Great Depression hit, the U.S. Senate passed bill that would have created a 5-day, 30-hour week but it was quietly opposed by the incoming Roosevelt administration. Hours reductions were, however, part of the NRA codes. In 1938, the Roosevelt administration and Congress enacted the Fair Labor Standards Act which legally established the 40-hour workweek.
It was expected that work hours would decline further after World War II. Some reduction in hours took place but mostly progress stalled. Organized labor, to its detriment, gradually abandoned its traditional goal of winning shorter hours. In recent years, however, a small group has emerged, comprising both union members and those outside the labor movement, which sees shorter work hours as a way to increase human happiness and reduce environmental degradation.
A short history of shorter working hours
An important but neglected history has been the history of reduced working hours. Some say this history started when God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. It certainly involves the Jewish sabbath and the Christian day of rest on Sundays.
The modern history of work hours begins with the extremely long hours scheduled in mines and mills in the early days of the Industrial Revolutions. Workers organized to gain a 10-hour day and then an 8-hour day. A general strike was held on May 1, 1886, in the United States to seek the 8-hour day. This is the origin of the May Day labor holiday that is celebrated around the world.
In the 20th Century, strikes continued for an 8-hour day in the United States. There was also, however, a move from 6-day weeks to 5-day weeks. Henry Ford put his automobile factories on a 5-day, 40-hour weekly schedule in 1926.
When the Great Depression hit, the U.S. Senate passed bill that would have created a 5-day, 30-hour week but it was quietly opposed by the incoming Roosevelt administration. Hours reductions were, however, part of the NRA codes. In 1938, the Roosevelt administration and Congress enacted the Fair Labor Standards Act which legally established the 40-hour workweek.
It was expected that work hours would decline further after World War II. Some reduction in hours took place but mostly progress stalled. Organized labor, to its detriment, gradually abandoned its traditional goal of winning shorter hours. In recent years, however, a small group has emerged, comprising both union members and those outside the labor movement, which sees shorter work hours as a way to increase human happiness and reduce environmental degradation.
The modern history of work hours begins with the extremely long hours scheduled in mines and mills in the early days of the Industrial Revolutions. Workers organized to gain a 10-hour day and then an 8-hour day. A general strike was held on May 1, 1886, in the United States to seek the 8-hour day. This is the origin of the May Day labor holiday that is celebrated around the world.
In the 20th Century, strikes continued for an 8-hour day in the United States. There was also, however, a move from 6-day weeks to 5-day weeks. Henry Ford put his automobile factories on a 5-day, 40-hour weekly schedule in 1926.
When the Great Depression hit, the U.S. Senate passed bill that would have created a 5-day, 30-hour week but it was quietly opposed by the incoming Roosevelt administration. Hours reductions were, however, part of the NRA codes. In 1938, the Roosevelt administration and Congress enacted the Fair Labor Standards Act which legally established the 40-hour workweek.
It was expected that work hours would decline further after World War II. Some reduction in hours took place but mostly progress stalled. Organized labor, to its detriment, gradually abandoned its traditional goal of winning shorter hours. In recent years, however, a small group has emerged, comprising both union members and those outside the labor movement, which sees shorter work hours as a way to increase human happiness and reduce environmental degradation.
2.99
In Stock
5
1
A short history of shorter working hours
A short history of shorter working hours
eBook
$2.99
Related collections and offers
2.99
In Stock
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940013106215 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Thistlerose Publications |
| Publication date: | 07/26/2011 |
| Series: | Shorter work time , #3 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| File size: | 33 KB |
About the Author
From the B&N Reads Blog