History of labor

History of Labor

By brooke.beason

  • Samuel Gompers

    Samuel Gompers
    Samuel Gompers was an English born American labor union leader. He founded the AFL (American Federation of Labor).

  • National Labor Union

    National Labor Union
    The national labor union was the first federation created in the US. It paved the way for other unions although it dissolved.

  • The first ever Labor Day

    The first ever Labor Day
    The first ever labor day was celebrated in New York City. Peter J McGuire came up with the idea because he thought that people who work in America should be honored.

  • Haymarket Square Riot

    Haymarket Square Riot
    On this day it started as a simple protest for a labor rally. Then in a turn of events someone ended up throwing a bomb at police and as a result there were 8 deaths this day.

  • American Federation of Labor (AFL)

    American Federation of Labor (AFL)
    The AFL was a national federation of labor union in the US. It was founded in Columbus, Ohio. Its purpose was to organize skilled workers into national unions consisting of others in the same trade.

  • Homestead Strike

    Homestead Strike
    A powerful corporation by the name of Carnegie Steel Company was against one of the highest trade union, Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers, in a strike. They locked the workers out of the workplace. Many workers were injured but, this strike inspired many people who wanted to go against their bosses. The labor union won.

  • Shirtwaist Factory Fire

    Shirtwaist Factory Fire
    The shirtwaist factory fire was one of the deadliest industrial disasters to happen in history. It occurred in New York city and resulted in 145 deaths. This event helped everyone realize the dangerous reality of sweatshop conditions.

  • Wagner Act

    Wagner Act
    Police were consistently favoring anti union laborers. This act finally hit a congress sympathetic to people in unions and passed this act in order to protect the employees.

  • Fair Labor Standards Act

    Fair Labor Standards Act
    This act kept in check minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping, and youth standards for employees. It also covered nonexempt workers to get a minimum wage.

  • Taft-Harley Act

    Taft-Harley Act
    The Taft-Harley Act was made to protect and create guidelines for unions unfair labor practices. It did many things protecting labor practices.