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Noble Order Of The Knights Of Labor Formed
The Noble Order Of The Knights Of Labor was organized by Philadelphia garment workers. It was later opened to Farmers, Merchants, and Wage Earners. A few of their goals were: equal pay for equal work, abolition of child labor and 8 hour work days. -
American Federation Of Labor Formed
The American Federation Of Labor (AFL) was organized in 1886. They focused on better working conditons and better pay. They were mainly craft oriented. -
Haymarket Square Riot
Workers in Chicago marched for an 8 hour work day. Police were later called to break up the protesters. Anarchists were blamed for violence. The public saw unions and anarchists as a problem. -
How The Other Half LIves
"How The Other Half Lives" is a book that was writen by Muckraker Jacob Riis. The book was written about life for the people that lived in the "slums" also known as tenements. Tenements are basically apartment builds jam packed with people. The apartments were very poorly made and there was little to no maintenance. Some people had to share rooms with multiple families. -
Homestead Strike
The Homestead Strike was a lockout stike that began on June 30th, 1892. It was one of the most serious disputes in U.S. labor history. It happened at the Homestead Steel Works in Homestead, Pennsylvania. -
Pullman Strike
There was a company built town by George M. Pullman. He put the rent way too high for his workers. The workers wages were cut due to the panic of 1893 (depression) but rent was still high. Thousands of railroad workers from 27 states striked. -
The Coal Strike
Stike led by the United Mine Workers of America in the anthracite coal regions of eastern Pennsylvania. The strike threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply to all major cities. It was the first labor episode in which the federal government acted as a neutral arbitrator. -
The Jungle
"The Jungle" is a book written by American Muckraker Upton SInclair. The book was written about the Meat Packing Industry in the early 1900's. Upton brought the attention of the public towards the disgusting and unjust meat industry. He told the public how they grinded up rats and put them in with the good meat. They also used meat from diseased cattle for the public to eat! "The Jungle" led to the creation of the FDA and the pure food and drug act. -
The Bitter Cry Of The Children
"The Bitter Cry Of The Children" is a book that was written in 1906 by muckraker John Spargo. The book was about child labor in the coal mines. It describes how the children would get their fingers cut and or broken by the coal. Or even worse the kids would fall down the coal chutes to be picked out later dead. -
Pure Food And Drug Act Passed
It is a United States Federal Law that was passed that allowed government inspection of meats and medicines. This was passed thanks to "The Jungle" written by none other than Upton SInclair. If this wouldnt have been passed imagine how gross our meat products would be today! -
Triangle Shirt-Waist Factory Fire
The Fire started near the top floors of the factory. 146 workers died due to the bosses locking the doors and windows to keep workers from leaving (which is illegal). Since the doors and windows were locked no one could escape. Almost all of the workers burned to their death. The company owners were later charged with murder in the 2nd degree and had to pay for each workers death. Since fire trucks could not reach the top floor they could do little to nothing to help. -
Congress Of Industrial Organization Formed
The Congress Of Industrial Organization was originally a part of the AFL until 1935. They broke away because it was more along the lines of Industrialism and not crafts. They finally rejoined into the AFL in 1955. -
National Labor Relations Act Passed (Wagner Act)
The Wagner Act promoted Professional Labor. Labor's right to organize legally recognized. National Labor Relations Board created. Provided the power to punish unfair labor practices. -
GM Sit-down Strike
Strike by General Motors employees from December 30, 1936 to February11, 1937. Brought the tactic of sit down strikes to the public. A Sit-down Strike is when you go to work but refuse to do anything. -
Fair Labor Standards Act Passed
The Fair Labor Standards Act regulated child labor. Thanks to this act minimum ages of employment and hours of work of children are regulated by federal law. -
Steel Strike
Strike by the United States Steelworkers of America against U.S. Steel and nine other steelmakers. President Harry S. Truman nationalized the American Steel Industry hours before the strike began. The workers had increased wages and were on strike for 53 days. -
Major League Baseball Strike
This was the first ever players strike in MLB history. The strike started on April 1, 1972 and ended on April 13, 1972. The strike ended when the owners and players agreed on a $500,00.00 increase in pay. -
New York City Transit Strike
Negotiations for a new contract with the Metropolitian Transportation Authority broke down over retirement, pension, and wage increases. The strike halted all service on the subways and buses. Millions of commuters were effected.
