The very beginning of the labor movement was super violent- pitched battles to keep scabs from crossing picket lines. Organized crime came from the same neighbo

The very beginning of the labor movement was super violent- pitched battles to keep scabs from crossing picket lines. Organized crime came from the same neighborhoods and communities as striking union workers, so they helped provide muscle for the workers. Then they stuck around. I think this is mostly a relic of the past though- most union members are in government or the service industries now, without any of those ties or history.