How long was the average work day in mills before unions?

Before unions, the average workday in mills often ranged from 10 to 16 hours, with many workers, including women and children, facing grueling conditions. These long hours were typically accompanied by minimal breaks and poor safety standards. The lack of labor protections meant that workers had little recourse to advocate for shorter hours or better conditions. It wasn't until the rise of unions that significant changes began to occur in labor practices.