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Lowell Mill Women create first union of working women.
The mill women worked an average of 13 hours. It was worse than "the poor peasant of Ireland or the Russian serf who labors from sun to sun." This helped women who couldn't vote to get more of a voice for their working conditions. -
Great Southwest Railroad Strike
The Knights of Labor went on strike at the Union Pacific and Missouri Pacific railroads because of unsafe conditions, unfair hours, and unfair pay. -
Sherman Antitrust Act
This law forbade any "restraint of commerce" across state lines, and courts ruled that union strikes and boycotts were covered by the law -
Anti-Labor Injunction
A federal court issues the first injunction against a union under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. The case, brought against the Workingman's Amalgamated Council of New Orleans for interfering with the movement of commerce, hands managers a potent legal weapon. -
The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
A fire started on the roof of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory, but it was on the 10th floor and the firefighters couldnt get up there. The owner had locked the fire exit doors and workers just jumped to their deaths to get out. This brought a sense of safer working conditions for this factory as well as many more. -
Federal Department of Labor Established
The United States Department of Labor is established as a Cabinet-level agency. Though established under President Taft, he signs the law after his defeat in the 1912 election. The Department will mostly emphasize the pro-labor stance of the incoming president, Woodrow Wilson, who appoints a United Mine Workers official as the first Secretary of Labor. -
Railroad Shop Workers Strike
The railroad company wanted to cut workers pay by 7 cents, but with this strike, the Attorney General stepped in and put an end to the strike with only a 5 cent wage cut. -
Textile Workers Strike
This strike of over 400,000 people for higher pay and less hours worked went absolutely no were and after 20 days they went back to work. -
National Labor Relations Act
This gives workers the legal right to form unions and requires employers to bargain with the union over wages, hours, and working conditions -
Bituminous Coal Strike
The United Mine Workers of America striked for safer working conditions, health benefits, and pay. They where forced into a deal but it meet most of their demands. -
Labor Management Relations Act
A United States federal law that restricts the activities and power of labor unions.
