IntroductionThe history of unions dates back to the late 1700s. Without strong leadership, workers were rarely able to improve their wages or working conditions. However, as effective leaders began to emerge, unions became a force demanding recognition by business and government. Change happened slowly, but thanks to the efforts of some forward-thinking union leaders, many changes were eventually made in the world of work. Historical legal status of unions Follow the evolution of the legal status of American unions. What activities were restricted by laws and courts? Have constraints increased or decreased over time? The first organized unions had no government support and were frequently eliminated by legislation and court rulings. The “conspiracy doctrine” of the late 1700s determined that most collective activities violated the public's best interests and were therefore illegal (Fossum, 2012, p. 29). As Fossum (2012) points out, trade and industrial unions had limited success in obtaining more favorable wages and work hours in the early 1800s, but courts continued to interfere with most group activities. 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 through 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 prosecution to shut down union activities (Fossum, 2012). The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 further limited collective action by requiring unions to pay punitive damages for their activities that were determined to remain...... middle of paper ...... Colorado State University -Global Campus. (2013). Module 1 – Evolution of American Labor [Blackboard online course]. In MGT 516 – Employees and Labor Relations (p. 1-3). Greenwood Village, CO: Author. Fossum, J. (2012). Labor relations: Development, structure, process. (11th ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 978‐0078029158Labor Party. (2012). A call for economic justice: the Labor Party platform. Retrieved from http://thelaborparty.org/d_program.htmLewis, DL and Brown, NL (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). Producers of the world, unite! A return of reformist 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.