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Atlanta's Washerwomen strike
Laundresses went on strike for higher wages and respect. In 1834, their bosses cut their wages, so they fought back and ended up getting 10 hour work days. -
Lowell Mill Women
Women that worked at the Lowell Mill went on strike due to their wages being cut. Their bosses won and created the Lowell Female Labor Reform in 1840 which reduced the work day to 10 hours. -
Sherman Antitrust Act
Courts ruled that union strikes and boycotts were covered under the law. The law forbade any restraint of commerce. -
The Battle of Cripple Creek
In 1894, 150 mines opened in Cripple Creek. Tons of workers came in and the owners increased the work day from 8 hours to 10 hours with no increase in pay. The miners went on strike. The battle began between mine owners, local police, and strikers. The western federation of miners won. It is the only time in US history that a state militia supported striking workers. -
Coal Strike
This was a strike by the United Mine workers in Eastern Pennsylvania. They were striking for higher wages, shorter work days, and the recidition of their union. On June 8th, 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt investigated the strike and eventually they got a 10% increase in wages and a shorter work day. This was the first labor strike the US federal government intervened. -
McKee's Rock Strike
This strike took place at the huge Pressed Steel Car Co. plant in McKees Rock, where between 5,000 and 8,000 mostly immigrant workers created railway cars. Hailing mainly from southern and eastern Europe, they included "Russians who had served in the 1905 Duma [parliament], Italians who had led resistance strikes, Germans who were active in the metal workers' union," according to historian Sidney Lens. This lasted from July 13th- Sep 8th 1909. -
1935 National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act)
The Wagner Act allowed workers to strike, picket, and boycott business. It made illegal company unions, which were employee organizations sponsored by employers. It also outlawed blacklisting, intimidation, and industrial spies. -
Social Security Act
Passed in 1935 as part of the New Deal for the growing poverty among the elderly, this law provides old-age and disability benefits and health insurance. It also establishes the right to receive unemployment insurance and workers compensation. It is administered by the Social Security Administration. -
US Postal Strike of 1970
The U.S. postal strike of 1970 was an eight-day strike by federal postal workers in March 1970. The workers felt they had low wages, poor working conditions, and not enough benefits. It started in NYC. president Nixon sent the National Guard to deliver the mail. This did not work and the workers received their benefits. -
2018 Oklahoma Teacher's Strike
On April 2nd 2018 teachers walked out to protest low pay, over crowded classrooms, and tax cuts. It lasted until April 12th. Teachers received more school funding and salary increases.
