Massachusetts AFL-CIO Scholarship Practice Exam

Which organization was formed by Italian immigrant laborers under exploitative labor conditions?

1. International Labor Organization

2. Hod Carriers and Laborers

3. United Hebrew Trades

4. Industrial Workers of the World

The correct answer is: Hod Carriers and Laborers

The Hod Carriers and Laborers organization was established specifically to address the challenges and exploitative conditions faced by Italian immigrant laborers in the United States. This group emerged in the late 19th century when many Italian immigrants were working in labor-intensive jobs, often under harsh circumstances with little representation or protection. The formation of this organization represented a collective effort to advocate for better working conditions, fair wages, and overall labor rights. Its significance lies in its role as one of the early labor unions that focused on a specific demographic within the labor force, highlighting the struggles of immigrant workers who were often marginalized in the broader labor movement. By organizing, these laborers sought to combat the exploitation they faced and improve their working conditions, thus laying the groundwork for future labor movements that would include various ethnicities and nationalities in the fight for workers' rights.