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Noble Order of the Knights of Labor formed
This group was organized by Philadelphia garment workers. It was opened to farmers, merchants and wage earners. The goals were to get equal pay for equal work, abolish child labor and set an 8 hour work day. -
American Federation of Labor (AFL) formed
This organization focused on better working conditions. They fought for better pay and putting union labels on produced items. They were craft oriented. -
Haymarket Square Riot
Workers in Chicago march for an 8 hour day to protest McComick Harvesting machine, and then the police showed up to break up strike. Anarchists where blamed for violence. 8 policemen died and hundreds injured. The public saw unions and Anarchists as a problem. -
How the other half lives
This novel by Jacob A Riis is about the bad living conditions in apartments in New York City. This led to more rights for better living conditions for the tenants. Also more laws that property owners had to abide by. -
The Homestead Strike
It was an industrial lockout and strike from June 30,1892 culminating in a battle between strikers and private security agents on July 6,1892. It was one of the most serious disputes in US labor history. This event occurred at the Homestead Steel Works in the Pittsburgh area of Homestead, PA between the AA and the Carnegie Steel Company. The final result was a major defeat for the union, and a setback for efforts to unionize steelworkers. -
The Pullman Strike
The Pullman Company built homes for its employees to rent. The rents were high and during the depression, wages were cut back but not the rent. Workers went on strike and within days, there was no railroad transportation from Chicago to West Coast. President Cleveland didn't like unions and had union leaders arrested. The strike collapsed. -
The Bitter Cry of The Children
A novel by John Spargo is about children who worked in coal mines. They had dangerous and unhealthy working conditions. This led to child labor laws to protect kids. -
Triangle Shirt Factory Fire
There was a huge and devastating fire at this shirt factory in New York City. 146 died, mostly women and teenagers. The result of the fire brought together a commission to investigate the city's "sweatshops". This helped put in place labor laws to protect factory workers from fire, health hazards and disability among other safety issues. -
The National Labor Relations Act passed
This Act was Pro Labor. It legally recognized Labor's right to organize. From this the National Labor Relations Board was created. It had power to punish unfair labor practices. -
The National Labor Relations Act passed
This Act was Pro Labor. It legally recognized Labor's right to organize. From this the National Labor Relations Board was created. It had power to punish unfair labor practices. -
Congress of Industrial Organization formed
This organization was part of the AFL until 1935. It broke away because it was geared more toward the industrial lines rather than craft lines. It reintegrated into AFL in 1955. -
Fair Labor Standards Act
For the first time, minimum ages of employment and hours of work for children are regulated by federal law. -
Steel Strike
United Steel Workers of America on strike against U.S. steel and 9 other steel companies. Steelworkers wanted a wage increase. The strike lasted 53 days and it ended with the union winning. They got what they originally asked for four months earlier. -
Major League Baseball Strike
This was the first players strike in baseball. It occurred from April 1st,1972 to April 13,1972. Baseball resumed because the owners and players agreed on a $500,000 increase in pension fund payments and to add salary arbitration to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Games missed while on strike weren't made up because owners did not want to pay for them while they were on strike. -
New York City Transit Strike
The 2005 New York City transit strike was a strike in NYC called by the Transport Workers Union Local 100 (twu). The strike began at 3:00 a.m. on December 20, 2005. Most NYC Transit Authority personnel observed the strike effectively halting all service on the subway and buses. Millions of commuters were affected. The strike ended at 2:35 p.m. on December 22, 2005. Service was restored overnight, with all transportation systems fully operational by the mo
