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One Of The First Unions
One of the very first unions was formed in New York City. A group of printers came together to try and increase wages. They were successful. -
Knights of Labor Founded
Founded by Tailors in 1869. was an important union in helping women and African Americans. Excluded lawyers, baker, gamblers, and stock holders. Won a couple big railroad strikes. 1886 was its height at 702,000. Its downfall was because of disputes and mismanagement. -
American Federation Of Labor Formed
A union for skilled workers. Samuel Gompers was the Union leader until 1924, believed they would have more success if they excluded unskilled workers. In the end of the 19th century they had over 20,000 strikes and 500,000 tradespeople. -
Pullman Strike
A famous strike of the Pullman Palace Car Company. Workers wanted better wages. Their union was the American Railway Union. Also called for a boycott of Pullman Railway Cars. Government had to intervene and break up riots. More than 100,000 workers were involved in this strike. -
Industrial Workers of The World
Organized in Chicago by people in Western Federation Mines. Wanted to unite all workers and overthrow capitalism and create socialistic basis of running things. It ran 150 strikes and around WW1 membership slowly declined and it failed soon after. -
United States Department of Labor was formed
Formed to promote welfare of wage earners, improve working conditions, and advance opportunities of employment. Has 9 major divisions promoting different things. The last one was added in 1993. -
Congress of Industrial Organizations Formed
A union formed off of the AFL. Wanted to organize all workers, skilled and unskilled. Accepted everyone. Very large Union. -
United Auto Workers Strike
United Auto Workers have a successful sit down strike in Flint, Michigan. Sign A new Contract with Genreal Motors. -
AFL merges with CIO
American Federation of Labor merges with Congress of Industiral Organizations. Really big deal for America, Largest labor union. Now has 11.5 million members and has 58 National and International Unions. -
1/3 of all Workers are in a Union
Most people are in Unions. The number goes up in the 1970's and then starts decreasing, membership drops and in 1997 only 14% of people are in Unions.
