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Knights of Labor
The Knights of Labor was the largest and one of the most important American labor organizations of the 1880s. The Knights of Labor played an important role in the development of the labor movement in the United States of America bringing together workers from different trades. -
Great Southwest Railroad Strike
The railroad strike was a labor union strike involving more than 200,000 workers. It shut down railway lines in five states, threatened to upset commerce nationally, and attracted support from unskilled and semi-skilled railroaders. -
AFL (American Federation of Labor)
The American Federation of Labor was one of the first federations of labor unions in the United States. It campaigned for basic improvements for workers such as eight-hour days, higher wages, and better working conditions. -
Pullman Strike
The strike was significant for having failed as a workers' labor movement against wage cuts. It also destroyed the American Railway Union and helped to defeat President Grover Cleveland's reelection nomination. -
Shirtwaist Factory Fire
It was a tragedy that opened the nation’s eyes to poor working conditions in garment factories and other workplaces. The horrific event created a nationwide protest for working conditions and spurred efforts to improve standards. -
Textile Workers Strike of 1934
It was the largest strike in the labor history of the United States at the time, involving 400,000 textile workers from New England, the Mid-Atlantic states and the U.S. Southern states, lasting twenty-two days. The strikers demanded more pay, a 40-hour workweek, and better working conditions. -
The Wagner Act
The act established the National Labor Relations Board to protect the rights of workers to organize, bargain collectively, and strike. The Wagner Act is the most important piece of legislation to date protecting workers' and unions' rights. -
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the first minimum wage was established and it banned child labor. It affects millions of full and part time workers in the private sector and the federal, state, and local governments. It was a significant impact on the labor movement in the United States. -
Taft-Hartley
The act established guidelines to correct unions' unfair labor practices. The act was mainly a response to the postwar job boom and proportionally larger and wider work stoppages. -
Steel Strike of 1959
Members of the United Steelworkers of America went on strike against the major U.S. steel producers, which was the start of record 116-day steel industry strike. The main issue about the strike was contract language on new technology and job security.
