Behinds Quote by William Howard Taft
“I think it is a wise course for laborers to unite to defend their interests… I think the employer who declines to deal with organized labor and to recognize it as a proper element in the settlement of wage controversies is behind the times… Of course, when organized labor permits itself to sympathize with violent methods or undue duress, it is not entitled to our sympathy.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Labor policy address, 1913
Workers should unite to protect interests, but unions must reject violence to retain public support.
In simple terms: Unions need peaceful unity.
Support organized labor responsibly.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- wage negotiations
- collective bargaining
- industrial relations
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can unions stay peaceful yet effective?
- What are alternatives to confrontational tactics?
Violent tactics can undermine legitimate goals.