The Labor Movement (1900-1939)

Samuel Gompers

Jan 27, 1850

Founded the AFL and served as the organization's President from 1886-1894, and 1895-till his death in 1924.

Eugene V. Debs

Nov 5, 1855

Ran for President under the Socalist party in 1900, 1904, 1908, and 1912. But first served time in jail for 6 months after a failed attempt for a strike against Pullman Company. AFter getting 6% of the vote Debs was sentenced 10 years prison for sedition in 1918. 1920 he ran for President from prison and gained 3.5 more of the vote.

Emma Goldman

Jun 27, 1869

Well known anarchist for her political activism, writings, and speeches. She went to prison for starting a riot and distributing birth control. In 1906 she founded the journal "Mother Earth",

American Federation of Labor

Dec 8, 1886

Open Shop

Jan 1, 1895

Employees were choosen by the union the was set for the establishment.

International Ladies Garment Workers Union

Jan 1, 1900

One of the first largest union to women as members.

International Workers of the World

Jun 27, 1905

Took stand for free speech gaining a lot of members.

Triangle Shirtwaist Facotry Fire

Mar 25, 1911

One of the deadliest industrial disaster. The fire caused 146 deaths of garment workers. The deaths were mainly caused by factory workers locking doors to stairwells and exits to prevent pilferage and unauthorized breaks. This event led to legislation requiring better safety standards in factories.

Department of Labor

Mar 4, 1913

The cabinet that's responsible for occupational safety, wage and hour standards, unemployment benefits

Ludlow Massacre

Apr 14, 1914

Attack by the Colorado National Guard and Colorado Fuel & Iron Company camp guards on a tent. This was caused after a daylong fight between militia and camp guards against workers on strike.

World War I

Jul 28, 1914

Germany started expanding their empire and allied with Italy and Austria-Hungray. America sided with Britian and helped them out.

Clayton Act

Sep 2, 1914

Made to add substance in America's antitrust law regime. They tried to seek anticompetitive practices in their incipency.

Yellow-Dog Contract

Jan 1, 1915

Employees agreeing to not join any labor union.

Adamson Act

Sep 3, 1916

Created for an 8 hour work day. With some extra pay for overtime for railroad workers.

Great Depression

Oct 9, 1929

Originated in the U.S. after the fall of stock prices in Sept 4, 1929 and became widely known after the crash in Oct 9, 1929.

Collective Bargaining

Jan 1, 1930

Process of neogotiations between employers and a group of employees, for creating argeements to regulate working conditions.

Davis-Bacon Act

Mar 3, 1931

Rquirement for paying the local prevailing wages for public works projects

Norris-La Guardia Act

Jan 1, 1932

Banned yellow-dog contracts, barred federal from using injunctions against nonviolent labor disputes.

Closed Shop

Jan 24, 1935

A shop required to join a certain union, and reamin with that union for the rest of their employment.

Wagner Act

Jul 5, 1935

Empolyees discussed organizing, and workplace issues with coworkers.

Fair Labor Standards Act

Jan 1, 1938

Introduced 44 hour-7 day work-week, minimum wage, overtime with certain jobs, and not hiring minors.

Congress of Industrial Organization

Dec 4, 1955

Biggest federation of unions made up of 56 national and international unions.