1. Decline in Union Membership: The rapid economic growth and industrial expansion during the 1920s led to a decline in union membership. Many workers enjoyed improved wages and benefits, which reduced their motivation to organize unions.
2. Employer Resistance: Many employers actively resisted unionization efforts. They used various strategies to discourage union activities, such as firing union organizers, blacklisting workers who engaged in union activities, and using company-sponsored unions or welfare programs as alternatives to independent labor unions.
3. Legal Challenges: The National Labor Relations Act, which protected the rights of workers to organize and bargain collectively, was not enacted until 1935. In the absence of strong legal protections, employers often used legal means to challenge and weaken unions.
4. Anti-Union Propaganda: Business groups and the media disseminated anti-union propaganda, often portraying unions as threats to the economy and individual freedom. These efforts aimed to shape public opinion and turn workers against labor organizations.
5. Technological Changes: The introduction of new technologies and the reorganization of production processes during the 1920s led to changes in the composition of the labor force. The growth of industries such as automobiles, chemicals, and electrical manufacturing, along with the decline of traditional industries like textiles and mining, affected the strength and organization of labor unions.
6. Government Policies: Government policies at the time did not favor unions or collective bargaining. The Supreme Court issued rulings that restricted the rights of unions and made it more difficult for them to organize. Additionally, the government often intervened in labor disputes, siding with employers and weakening union power.
Despite these challenges, some labor unions continued to organize and advocate for workers' rights during the 1920s. Notably, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) were formed during this period, laying the groundwork for the resurgence of labor power in the 1930s.