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One of the most significant documents in the history of the United States. It was an official act that declared independence from British rule by all 13 American colonies. -
The National Labor Union is the very first national labor federation in the US. This labor federation was founded in 1866 and was dissolved in 1873, however it paved the way for other organizations. The National Labor Union supported the banning of prison labor, land reform laws in order to keep public holdings out of the hands of speculators, and national currency to raise farm prices. The NLU failed trying to represent too many groups at the same time. -
During the summer of 1881, a group of African American washerwomen concluded that they were tired of the constant mistreatment, being undervalued, and underpaid. To retaliate they began a strike and refused to work. They wanted to get paid more as well as get more recognition for all of their hard work. These women gained so much support that they threatened a general strike, which had the potential to shut the city down. -
Samuel Gompers is known to be the first and longest serving president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), which lasted through the years 1886 to 1924. He is widely recognized to be one of the major architects towards the Labor Rights Movement. Under Samuel Gompers leadership, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) became the largest and influential labor federation in the world. -
Eugene V. Debs is a figure beloved by many contemporaries for his many significant achievements and hard work towards the improvement of fair labor laws. One of his greatest achievements was leading a successful strike against the Great Northern Railway.This strike eventually gained national prominence during the Pullman Strike in the summer of 1894. -
Peter J. McGuire is mostly known to be credited as the Father of Labor Day, with the U.S Department of Labor recognizing him for all his significant efforts. He was one of the co-founders and one the leading officials of the American Federation of Labor. McGuire also organized and assembled one of America's greatest labor unions, which is the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners. -
The McKees Rock Strike was an American labor strike. This strike included Slavic workers who staged a protest towards Pressed Steel Car Company of McKees Rocks which was located in Pittsburgh. Tension between strikers and the company ended up erupting in a riot which ultimately accumulated to the deaths and injuries of many. This strike is considered an important incident that eventually led to successful unionization efforts in the 1930's -
This unfortunate event is characterized by the huge fire that broke out on the top floors of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory on March 25, 1911. Workers were tragically trapped inside because the owners locked the fire exit doors. Firefighters who arrived at the scene were of no help due to their ladders not being tall enough. Workers had to choose between burning to death or jumping off the 10-story building. This tragic event inspired activists and the nation to push for fundamental reforms. -
Nelson Cruikshank was the first Director of the AFL-CIO Department of Social Security, which was founded in the year of 1955. He is mostly recognized for being a leading voice for Social Security and health insurance, especially for elderly people and people with disabilities. He eventually retired from AFL-CIO in 1965, however continued to work on behalf of the elderly and people with disabilities for the next two decades. -
Cesar Chavez's most notable achievement is The National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) which was founded in Delano, California. This organization defended the rights of farm workers by using non-violent organization tactics. Through continuous marches, national consumer boycotts, and fasts. The NFWA gained the attention of national headlines, improved working conditions, labor contracts with higher wages, and fueling the Chicano movement -
The speech "I've Been to the Mountaintop" delivered by Martin Luther King expresses the concerns of the Black sanitation workers of Memphis who were all tired of the continuous unfair working conditions they've been subjected to. This speech also conveys the right of all people to have fair labor laws. Martin Luther King conveys that the issue is injustice and how the refusal of Memphis to be fair and honest to its public servants needs to be fixed as soon as possible. -
New York City letter carriers voted to go against the law and go on a strike on March 17, 1970. Postal workers and clerks refused to use their picket lines. Then, the wildcat strike was suddenly spread throughout the whole entire country. By the next following week, about 200,000 postal workers from California to New England had walked off the job. This strike changed both the Postal Service and people's lives for the better. -
The Homestead Strike that occurred in the year of 1982 was a dramatic and violent labor protest between hired Pinkerton security guards and discharged workers. This bitter conflict took place in Andrew Carnegie's steel plant in Homestead, Pennsylvania, in which the bloody confrontation ultimately ended up killing 16 people and causing devastating injuries. Unfortunately, the iron and steel workers ended up being defeated and many lost their jobs at the plant. -
The key concern of the address towards the California Commonwealth Club was regarding the unfair treatment of farm workers. Cesar Chavez shed light to the injustices farm workers were subjected to related to work and living conditions. His speech opened people's eyes and allowed them to recognize the suffering farm workers were enduring.