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Noble Order of the Knights of Labor formed
This was organized by Philadelphia garment workers in 1869. Everyone wanted equal pay for equal work and 8 hour work days. It opened for farmers, merchants, and wage earners. Some of their main goals were accomplished and we follow them today -
American Federation of Labor (AFL) formed
The American Federation of Labor is another main organization for better working conditions. Union labels were placed on items and they were craft oriented. Everyone wanted a better pay considering what they had to go through each day. -
Haymarket Square Riot
This was a big protest for workers in Chicago because they marched for an 8 hour day limit. The police, however came back to break up the strike but 8 of them died and hundreds were injured. People blamed it on the anarchists and unions because they were seen as problems. -
"How the Other Half Lives" written
This book was written by Jacob Riis explaining what living conditions were like in the tenements. It was extremely crowded in a one room apartment. The ceiling was low, trash was everywhere, and children had to sleep in dressers because of all the space. As explained in this book, its a wonder people could live with these harsh conditions. -
The Homestead Strike
This particular strike was one of the most serious disputes in U.S. labor history. It was between the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers and the Carnegie Steel Company. In the end, union was majorly defeated, and a setback for efforts to unionize steelworkers. -
The Pullman Strike
This company was built so workers could rent homes from the owner. Unfortunately, the rents went up too high and the wages were slashed due to the Panic of 1893. Pullman refused to lower their rents, so thousands of workers in 27 states stopped transports on railroads. However, the union leaders were arrested by the government. -
Labor Day Holiday Created
Labor day was passed as a national holiday by Congress in 1894 to be on the first monday of September every year. It recognizes all of the labor unions and what they have to do to make a living. It represents everyone in the world of work today and to give everyone a break from the hardships they had to complete. -
The Coal Strike
The Coal Strike took place in eastern Pennsylvania and it threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply to all major cities. President Theodore Roosevelt entered into the dispute and set up a commision that suspended the strike. After it was suspended, the strike never resumed because the miners gained more pay for fewer hours. It was the first labor episode when the government did not side with the companies. -
"The Jungle" written
"The Jungle" was written by Upton Sinclair to exploit the working conditions of people in meat factories. Meat was thrown on the floor, rats and poison were everywhere, and even the workers washed their hands in the water that was to be ladled for the sausage. This book really helped people realize what was happening and started making some labor laws. -
"The Bitter Cry of Children" written
This book was written by John Spargo. It told of the horrifying things that children had to do in the coal mines at such a young age. When a family couldn't afford an education for their child, they sent them to work in the mines. Kids worked 14-16 hours a day and only earn $0.60! This was terrible, so Spargo wrote this book to try and get people to understand that kids should not be allowed to deal with all that abuse. -
Pure Food and Drug Act passed
This act was made because of Upton Sinclair's book, "The Jungle." It was made a federal law that food products would have to have a federal inspection before it was shipped. The government has to check the manufacture, sale, and transportation of food products and medicines. -
Triangle Shirt Factory Fire
A fire took place at the Triangle Waist Company in NYC. It killed 146 workers, which exposed the dangerous working conditions that everyone was dealing with. It prompted new buildings and safety codes around the entire U.S. -
Congress of Industrial Organization formed
The Congress of Industrial Organization was part of the AFL until 1935. They broke off because the AFL advocated organization along industrial lines rather than craft lines. It only took 20 years before they rejoined the AFL. -
The National Labor Relations Act passed
This act was made for pro labor. It legally recognized labor's right and it had the power to punish unfair labor practices. The National Labor Relations Board was also created because of this act passed by Congress. -
GM Sit-down Strike
This strike was different than all of the others for one reason: the workers came into the factory to prevent anything from being accomplished instead of hiring replacements. It is a really effective way to stop production and it became well known to the general public. -
Fair Labor Standards Act passed
This act achieved federal regulation of child labor. For the first time, there was a minimum age of employees to make it more fair towards children. The hours for kids also drastically changed thanks to the federal law. -
Steel Strike
The steel strike waas by United Steelworkers of America vs. 10 other main steel makers. However, President Truman nationalized the industry hours before workers left, so they sued to regain control of their facilities. In the Supreme Court case, the president lacked the power to seize the mills. In the end, the steelworkers won and got higher wages. -
Major League Baseball Strike
This was the first MLB strike in history and lasted 13 days. The season resumed when everyone agreed on a $500,000 increase in funding. The 86 games that were missed were never made up because the league refused to pay the players while they were on strike. -
New York City Transit Strike
Transportation in the subways and buses were shut down right before Christmas 2005, so it was bad for everyone to be walking in the streets. Negotiations failed and no one got an increase in pay or pension. Millions of people were affected and it only lasted 3 days thankfully.
