History of Labor

By David913

  • 13th Amendment

    13th Amendment
    Amendment was supported by President Lincoln which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. Passed by Senate on April 8, followed by the house on January 31, 1865.

  • The 1st Labor Day

    The 1st Labor Day
    Took place in Ney York City on September 5, 1882. Citizens celebrated with picnics, concerts and speeches. 10,000 workers marched from the City Hall to Union Square in a parade.

  • American Federation of Labor

    American Federation of Labor
    Was a National Federation of Labor Unions in the United States that was founded in Columbus, Ohio. Their purpose was to organize skilled workers into national unions rather then a political reason. Founded by Samuel Gompers.

  • Homestead Strike

    Homestead Strike
    This was an industrial lockout and strike that occurred during the year of 1892. It included iron and steel workers that protested against Carnegie Steel Company for a proposed wage cut. Was one of the most bitterly fought labor disputes.

  • Pullman Strike

    Pullman Strike
    Began on May 11 and led by Eugene V. Deds. It's associates were Pullman factory workers who joined the ARU who went on strike against Great Northern Railway Company. Reasons were because they increased hours, cut wages and jobs as well.

  • Shirtwaist Factory Fire

    Shirtwaist Factory Fire
    Deadliest industrial disaster in the history of Manhattan, New York City with 146 deaths and 78 non-fatal. The owners of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, Isaac Harris and Max Blanck were put on charges of man slaughter by a grand jury.

  • Textile Workers Strike

    Textile Workers Strike
    This was the largest strike in labor history of the United States at the time. Strike lasted 22 days that included workers from New England, the Mid-Atlanticn states and U.S Southern states. Reasons that lead to this strike were because workers faced long hours with short wages while others unhappy about working conditions.

  • Fair Labor Standards Act

    Fair Labor Standards Act
    Act originated in President Roosevelt's New Deal which made work week limited to 44 hours per week.(revised in 1940 to 40 hours) Also banned child labor- this decreased number of children harmed by bad working conditions.

  • General Motors Sit Down Strike

    General Motors Sit Down Strike
    Known as the most important strike in American history it's aftermath ultimately lead to unionization of the United States automobile industry.
    Strike took place in Flint, Michigan and was against General Motors.

  • Steel Strike of 1959

    Steel Strike of 1959
    Strike was an 116-day labor union strike that started on July 15- November 7. One thing these members of the USWA demanded union was to introduce new work rules which involved in reduced hours and number of employees. This strike motivated President Eisenhower to introduce the Taft-Hartley Act.