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Noble Order of the Knights of Labor formed
The Noble Order of the Knights of Labor was created by the Philadelphia garment workers. The group was open to farmers, merchants, and wage earners. One of the goals was for equal pay for equal work. Other objectives were eight hour work days and no child labor. The reason Labor Day exists is because of this group. -
Labor Day holiday created
Labor Day was created by the Central Labor Unionin New York City. This day is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. The idea of celebrating a holiday around the working class spread quickly to other industrial centers. From that day on we have celebrated Labor Day every first Moday of September. -
American Federation of Labor (AFL) formed
The AFL was focused on getting overall better working conditions. This group also focused on establishing union labels on produced items and recieving better pay. Samuel Gompers', president, goal was to make a change without going on strike. This type of protesing allowed the group to earn respect from businessmen. Gomper's also created his group around skilled workers. -
Haymarket Square Riot
This riot occured because workers of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Co. in Chicago were hoping for a shorter work day. It became so violent that policemen had to come and break up the riot. In total, 8 policemen died and 100s were injured. In the end, anarchists were blamed for the violence. The public then began to see unions and anarchists as a problem. -
"How the Other Half Lives" written
"How the Other Half Lives" describes the horrible living conditions in New York City tenements. Jacob Riis, the author, went undercover to see first hand how the peolpe lived. The book was written as if he was one of the peolpe living in the tenements. This writing is called photojournalism. -
The Homestead Strike
This strike was a lockout that culminated into a battle between the strikers and the private security agents. The dispute occured in Homestead, Pittsburgh between the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel workers and the Carnegie Steel Company. The reason this strike happened was because their wages were going to be cut by 20%. In the end, it was a major defeat for the union and a setback for the uniting of steelworkers. This strike was one of the most serious disputes in US labor history. -
The Pullman Strike
George M. Pullman created the company town of Pullman so workers could rent homes. They went on strike because Pullman refused to lower rent when their wages dramatically declined. R Most of the governors supported the business end but Governor Peter did not send state militia to seperate the strike. On the other hand, Cleveland disliked the union and sent over troops. The Union leaders were arrested and the strike fell apart. -
The Coal Strike
This strike was created by the United Mine Workers of America in the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania. The strike became severe and threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply to all major cities. President Roosevelt got involved tried to suspend the strike. The strike never happened again because the miners recieved more pay for fewer hours. The owners also got a higher price for coal. It was the first time that when the federal government got involved they ended up equal. -
"The Jungle" written
The book "The Jungle" was written to uncover the horrible treatment of a meat packaging industry in Chicago. Upton Sinclair wrote this book and was a muckracker in the industry. Some of the descriptions in the book described how workers would trample over the meat.These descrptions led to the passing of the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection act. -
"The Bitter Cry of Children" written
"The Bitter Cry of Children" describes the conditions of how child laborers were treated. John Spargo described the long term challenges that the children would potentially face. For example, children in the coal mines could possibly encouter back issues from bending over all day. The writing of this book helped pass laws against child labor. -
Pure Food and Drug Act passed
This Act stated that the United States must provide a federal inspection of the meat products. They also have to forbade the manufacture, sale, or transportation of adulterated food products and poisonous patent medicines. This Act was passed because of the descriptions from "The Jungle". -
Triangle Shirt Factory Fire
There was a fire at the Triangle Shirt Factory in New York City that killed 146 people. This factory specialized in making different types of shirts. The employees worked long hours with low wages. Most of the workers were very young, some were 13 and 14. This fire caused us to put into affect fire and safety codes around the United States. -
The National Labor Relations Act passed
This goal of this Act was to provide safety emplyees and employers. This Act helped create the National Labor Relations Board. This Act also gave the power to punish unfair labor practices. Finally, the Act gave the right for workers to join unions without being penalized. -
Congress of Industrial Organization formed
The Congress of Industrial Organization was originally part of the AFL until they seperated in 1935. The group broke away because they wanted to base their organization around industrial lines instead of craft lines. This organization became very successful because they allowed both skilled and unskilled workers to be apart of the committee. The AFL and the CIO finally reintegrated in 1955. -
GM Sit-down strike
This strike by GM employees shut down operations in Flint, Michigan. This is when the tactic of sit-down strikes had been brought to the public. This strike occured because the employees were working in horrible conditions with unfair payrolls. The strike then began to spread to other GM plants. GM began to recognize UAW as a bargaining agent. For the first time, workers were able to participate in the running of GM. The strike was a success! -
Fair Labor Standards Act passed
This Act gave regulations on child labor. For the first time, federal law regulated the minimum ages of employment and hours of work for children. The main goal of this Act was to prevent the harm to children because of over working. The issues of child labor were brought up in "The Bitter Cry of Children". This Act ultimately saved the well-being of children and allowed them to further succeed in school. -
Steel Strike
This strike was created by the United Steelworkers of America against US Steel and 9 other steellmakers. The strike was postponed because the American steel industry was nationalized right before the workers walked out. The steel companies then sued the US to regaain control. In the end, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the steel companies. The union ended up getting everything that they proposed for. -
Major League Baseball Strike
This strike was the first strike ever in Major League Baseball. The strike occured because the players were not pleased with their salaries. Baseball returned after the owners and players agreed to a $500,000 pension increase and salary. All of the games missed were not replayed because the league refused to pay the players when they were on strike. -
New York City Transit Strike
This strike was created by theTransport Workers Union Local 100 because the workers did not get an increase in their retirement, pension, and wages. This strke was very effective because all subway and bus services were stipped. Millions of commuters were affected because they had no mmode of transportation. The strike officially ended 2 days later.
