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Noble Order of the Knights of Labor is formed
The Noble Order of the Knights was a group against bad working conditions that was formed by Philadelpia garment workers in 1869. They wante equal pay for equal work, no more child labor, and 8 hour work days. They were open to farmers, merchants, and any wage earners. -
Creation of Labor Day
The first Labor Day was celebrated on August 26, 1876. It became a national holiday in 1894 after many workers were killed by US military during the Pullman strike. The holiday is dedicated to the labor movement. -
American Federation of Labor is formed
The AFL was a labor group focused on better working conditions and better pay. They were craft oriented. This means that you had to have a skill to be part of the group. -
Haymarket Square Riot
Workers in Chicago were protesting for 8 hour work days. Policemen came to break up the strike. 8 policemen were killed and more than 100 were injured. The public saw these protest groups as a threat and problem. -
"How the Other Half Lives" is Written
"How the Other Half Lives: Studies of the Tenements of New York" was written by Jacob Riis. It portrayed the lives of those who lived in the slums of New York. Big families lived in one or two room apartments with shared water and bathrooms. Many people got sick, and there was no control over temperature. -
Homestead Strike
The real strike started on June 30th, but the fight was on July 6th. It was one of the most serious labor fights in US history. It happened at the Homestead Steel Works in PA between the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers and the Carnegie Steel Company. The result was a defeat for the Union. -
Pullman Strike
George M. Pullman cut the wages of his workers without lowering their rent too. The railroad workers went on strike, and within days 27 states went on strike too. There was no way to get from Chicago to the West Coast. The union leaders were later arrested and sent to jail. -
The Coal Strike
The Coal Strike was a strike by the United Mine Workers of America in eastern PA. It was important because people needed the coal to heat their houses in the winter. President Roosevelt had to intervene to suspend the strike. It was the first strike in which the federal government got involved. -
"The Bitter Cry of Children" is Written
"The Bitter Cry of Children" was written by John Spargo. It told the story of the young children that were forced to work in the coal mines. The dark and dangerous work was done in 16 hour shifts. There was no time for school or fun. Some of the kids were as young as 8 years old. -
"The Jungle" is Written
"The Jungle" was written by Upton Sinclair. It was about the poor conditions in meat factories. It informed people about what was happening to the meat that they were eating. -
Pure Food and Drug Act is passed
The Pure Food and Drug Act is a federal law that provides federal inspection of meat products. It also forbids the manufacture, sale, or transportation of bad food products and poisonous medicines. -
Triangle Shirt Factory Fire
The Triangle Shirtwaist Company in New York burned on March 25, 1911. This was before emergency exits. 146 people were killed. The exit that they could have used was locked because the employer was afraid that his employees would steal some of the shirtwaists. -
Congress of Industrial Oragnization is formed
Congress of Industrial Organization was once part of the AFL. They broke away in 1935 because they thought that people with industrial skills should be allowed to join instead of people with craft skills. They eventually rejoined the AFL in 1955. -
National Labor Relations Act passed
The act gave the power to punish unfair labor practices. The National Labor Realations board was created because of it. It was also called the Wagner Act. -
GM Sit-Down Strike
People who worked at General Motors thought it would be a good idea to go to work but not do anything. This made sure that no one could take their place while they were on strike. This form of strike spread to other GM plants in other cities and states. For the first time in history, workers were able to be a part of how GM was run. -
Fair Labor Standards Act passed
This act stated the minimum age that children could work. It also regulated the amount of time that they worked each day. This was the first time that anything like this had been done. -
Steel Strike
The strike was held by the United Steelworkers of America agains U.S. Steel and nine other steel producers. This strike was supposed to begin on April 9, but was held two months later. This was because President Truamn nationalized the American steel industry hours before the strike was going to begin. -
Major League Baseball Strike
This was the first MLB strike in history. It lasted from April 1, 1972 to April 13, 1972. 86 games were missed and never made up. This was because the league refused to pay the players for the dayse they were on strike. -
NYC Transit Strike
All subway and bus sevices were shut down from 3:00 am on the 20th, until 2:35pm on the 22nd. Millions of people were affected. There was no way for them to get to work.
