[Aloha]

The strength of organized labor, particularly at Ford in 1914 was weak, both GM and Chrysler unionized in 1937, Ford was the last to do so of the big three, holding out until 1941.

Ford's rationale for increasing the wage for his workers, as laid out by him, was to make it so every Ford employee could buy a Ford car.

If you're curious, and want to know more about Ford Motor Company, I highly recommend a book called Wheels for the World by Douglas Brinkley. (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/067003181X/) Ford opened its full archives to the author, and it covers their entire history, warts and all.

[crdoconnor]

>The strength of organized labor, particularly at Ford in 1914 was weak

It was about seeing off an incipient threat. IWW were quite active at the time. Amazon's goal last year was similar when they raised wages even though they refused to recognize the union.

>Ford's rationale for increasing the wage for his workers as laid out by him, was to make it so every Ford employee could buy a Ford car.

Which was obviously bullshit. The effect employees buying cars could have had on the bottom line was far outstripped by the increased wage bill.

[astazangasta]

This is wrong. There were 8 hour movements going back to 1886. Notable are strikes for a 40 hour week in 1919. Ford was responding to the inevitable. https://libcom.org/history/articles/40-hours-strike-1919