Rise of the Labor Movement in Los Angeles

"Describing the development of the Los Angeles labor movement from its beginning in 1875 to the early part of 1912, this book is more than a history of union organization, of strikes and boycotts. It traces not only the economic but also the political and social evolution of the labor movement, as well as labor's relationship to the labor movements of California and of the nation. The history is confined geographically to the city of Los Angeles, though the early dependence of San Pedro and Pasadena on Los Angeles required the inclusion of their labor movements until approximately 1904. Although the first union was not organized until 1875, the author describes a period beginning approximately fifteen years earlier, in order to show the economic and political background for union organization and to discuss movements which had some influence on the later development and progress of the labor movement. The year 1884, however, saw the real genesis of the Los Angeles labor movement, for six unions then formed the First Trades Council. The consequent ebb and flow of the movement, depending in part on the prosperity or lack of it in the community, is thoroughly examined."--Jacket.