Labor feminism was a women's movement in the United States that emerged in the 1920s, focused on gaining rights in the workplace and unions.
The ERA was bitterly opposed by the social feminists who saw it as undermining many of the gains they had made in the treatment of women workers.
For example, they felt that state laws that put in place wage floors and hour ceilings benefited women.
This included equal pay for comparable work, shorter workdays for women and men, and social welfare support for childbearing and childrearing.
[2] In 1945, they introduced the Equal Pay Act in Congress, which sought to abolish wage disparity based on sex.
[6] The merger of the AFL and CIO in 1955 created a unified labor movement with greater political and economic power.
This commission would conduct a thorough investigation into the economic, civil, social, and political status of women across the United States, its territories, and possessions.
It recommended income guarantees for pregnant and unemployed women, childcare services, better tax policies, and changes to the Social Security system.
Many labor feminists, including Peterson, believed that legislation could promote equality and special benefits for women and did not see these as incompatible.
[14] While there were valid biological differences between men and women, it was thought that these definitions invoked generalities and ignored the capabilities of the individual.
[15] Labor feminists remained united in their opposition that the ERA would erase protectionist legislation, but split in their approach as it became apparent that they would not be able to achieve expansions of equality without sacrificing some protections.
A group of labor women helped secure support for the ERA from the United Auto Workers, the American Federation of Teachers, the Newspaper Guild, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
The passage of the ERA in 1972 enabled equal rights feminism to solidify its place as the dominant women's movement in the US.