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Knights of Labor founded
A secret society of tailors that was founded in 1869 to promote the social and cultural uplift of the workingman -
Samuel Gompers founds the American Federation of Labor
The AFL was founded due to the failures of the Knights of labor. They worked to get their members better pay and shorter work hours -
International Ladies' Garment Workers Union founded
ILGWU was formed by 11 delegates representing local unions from the major garment centers in New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Newark. Started with 2000 members and comprised of primarliy Jewish immigrants. They worked for better working conditions -
ILGWU strike
After weeks of striking and negotiating the women of the ILGWU got what they wanted. 52 hour workweeks, four legal holidays with pay, and employees were no longer obliged to supply their own tools. -
Wagner Act
Gave employees the right to organize and ask for better terms and conditions at work and take strike if necessary -
Fair Labor Standards Act
Created minimum wage, 40 hour workweeks, banned child labor, and requires pay for overtime -
Taft-Hartley Act
allows states to pass right-to-wrok laws. This act limited the power of the labor unions -
Merger of AFL AND CIO
Rivals AFL and CIO merge and work together to ensure workers are treated failry, recieve fair income and benefits, safe work conditions and equal opportunity
