History of Black Workers Rights
As we celebrate Black History Month, Staff Management wants to recognize and honor the contributions of black workers to the American labor movement and to our country.
Over the years, black workers have faced numerous challenges and obstacles in their fight for equality and dignity in the workplace, but through their resilience and determination, they have helped to shape the course of American history.
To commemorate this important month, we’ve put together a timeline of some of the key events and milestones in the history of black workers’ rights, based on information from the AFL-CIO and the National Archives.
1866: The National Labor Union is formed, becoming the first national organization to admit black workers as members, marking an important step towards inclusivity and diversity in the labor movement.
1935: The National Labor Relations Act is enacted, guaranteeing workers the right to form unions and bargain collectively. This law gives workers, regardless of race, stronger protections and more bargaining power.
1941: The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) is formed and makes a collective effort to organize black workers. This includes efforts to integrate black workers into existing unions and establish new unions that are more inclusive and welcoming.
1955: The American Federation of Labor (AFL) and CIO merge to form the AFL-CIO, which becomes one of the largest and most influential labor organizations in the country. The merger strengthens the labor movement as it provides a powerful voice for workers of all races.
1965: The Voting Rights Act is enacted, which eliminated discriminatory voting practices, such as literacy tests as prerequisites. This is a key milestone in the struggle for civil rights as it ensures that black workers have a voice in the political process.
1968: The Civil Rights Act is enacted, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in employment. This law helps make the workplace fairer and more respectful and ensures that black workers have equal opportunities to succeed and thrive.
These milestones are just a few of the many examples of how black workers have helped to shape American history and advance the cause of workers’ rights.
Black History Month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements of African Americans in the workplace and continue our efforts to promote diversity, equality, and justice in the workplace and beyond.
Staff Management Group has been New Jersey’s top staffing agency for over 35 years. We provide jobs in the light industrial and manufacturing industries. If you want to work with an agency that prioritizes the rights and benefits of employees, find out how we can support your staffing needs.
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