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Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution in the United States provided countless economic opportunities for American citizens, but also lead to a large gap between the extremely wealthy and extremely poor. -
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Inequality in the Workforce
There remains inequality between men and women in the workforce. While it is more socially acceptable today for women to work, a wage gap still remains, and most women are still expected to stay home and raise the children. -
National Labor Union founded
The National Labor Union (NLU) was the first national labor federation in the United States-- organized unskilled laborers, farmers, and reformers, for a while only white workers were allowed -
The first 8 hour work day for federal workers occurred
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Terrence Powderly
He was the head of the Knights of Labor. -
Knights of Labor created
Knights of Labor, was the largest and one of the most important American labor organizations of the 1880s -
Great Railroad Strike of 1877
In response to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) cutting wages of workers for the third time in a year. Striking workers would not allow any of the trains, mainly freight trains, to roll until this third wage cut was revoked -
Lucy Parsons
Lucy Parsons (1853‐1942), an Industrial Workers of the World leader, along with
her husband Albert Parsons helped find the International Working People’s
Association (IWPA). Lucy Parsons was also an influential organizer for the
International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union (ILGWU). -
Haymarket Square Riot
a labor protest rally near Chicago's Haymarket Square turned into a riot after someone threw a bomb at police. At least eight people died as a result of the violence that day. Despite a lack of evidence against them, eight radical labor activists were convicted in connection with the bombing. -
Samuel Gompers
founded the American Federation of Labor -
American Federation of Labor
a national federation of labor unions in the United States -
The Knights of Labor agree to permit women
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John Lewis
President of the United Mine Workers of America, a labor union. -
Homestead Strike
workers belonging to the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers struck the Carnegie Steel Company at Homestead, Pa. to protest a proposed wage cut. -
Pullman Strike
Nationwide railroad strike, American Railroad Union vs Pullman Company, under President Grover Cleveland, influenced change in labor laws. -
National Consumers League founded
National Consumers League (NCL), American organization founded in 1899 to fight for the welfare of consumers and workers who had little voice or power in the marketplace and workplace. -
The National Consumer's League works to improve working conditions for women
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Coal Strike of 1902
The Coal strike of 1902 (also known as the anthracite coal strike) was a strike by the United Mine Workers of America in the anthracite coalfields of eastern Pennsylvania. Miners struck for higher wages, shorter workdays and the recognition of their union. They were successful because President Teddy Roosevelt backed them up, and threatened the owners of the mines he would send in the military to run the mines. -
The Bureau of Corporations founded
The Bureau of Corporations, predecessor to the Federal Trade Commission, was created as an investigatory agency within the Department of Commerce and Labor in the United States. The Bureau and the Department were created by Congress on February 14, 1903, during the Progressive Era. -
Women's Trade Union League founded
Women's Trade Union League (WTUL) Women's Trade Union League (WTUL), American organization, the first national association dedicated to organizing women workers. -
The Department of Labor and Commerce is created
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National Child Labor Committee founded
Founded in 1904, the National Child Labor Committee set out on a mission of "promoting the rights, awareness, dignity, well-being and education of children and youth as they relate to work and working." -
National War Labor Board founded
Handled labor-management dispute cases, thereby preventing work stoppages which might hinder the war effort. It administered wage control in national industries such as automobiles, shipping, railways, airlines, telegraph lines, and mining. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
the deadliest industrial disaster in the history of the city, and one of the deadliest in US history, people died in a matter of 18 minutes. During these 18 minutes, The Triangle Shirtwaist Company caught on fire, and the exits were either locked or impassible so that workers were unable to leave. -
Ford reintroduces assembly line
Henry Ford revolutionizes the assembly line, provides economic opportunities for Americans. -
the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau established
the only
federal agency mandated to represent the needs of wage‐earning women in the
public policy process. The Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labor
promotes the passage of legislation to protect working women. -
Liberty League founded
The American Liberty League was an American political organization formed in 1934, primarily of wealthy business elites and prominent political figures because they opposed the New Deal of Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was highly active for just two years. -
Wagner Act introduced
this bill was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt on July 5, 1935. It established the National Labor Relations Board and addressed relations between unions and employers in the private sector. -
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) established
Federal Wage and Hour Law, establishes national minimum wage for men and women alike. -
Rosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon and propaganda of the United States. She represented the American women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II. Many produced munitions and war supplies. These women sometimes took new jobs replacing the male workers who were in the military. -
Smith-Connally Act passed
restrict labor bargaining and
organizing. It required a 30-day "cooling off" period before strike,
criminal penalties for encouraging strikes, Presidential seizure of struck
plants, prohibitions against union campaign contributions. It was vetoed
by President Roosevelt. -
G.I. Bill Created
The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, also known as the G.I. Bill, was a law that provided a range of benefits for returning World War II veterans, including covering tuition costs, unemployment compensation, provided veterans' hospitals, and aided in helping the veterans find jobs. -
Taft-Hartley Act passed
suppresses the rights of unions -
President Kennedy gives Executive Order 10988
giving federal workers the
right to join unions and bargain for wages and working conditions. This set
the groundwork for large scale unionization efforts in the public sector -
President Johnson signed the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
banned discrimination in the workplace -
Occupational Safety and Health Act enacted
The Occupational Safety and Health Act is the primary federal law which governs occupational health and safety in the private sector and federal government in the United States. It was enacted by Congress in 1970 and was signed by President Richard Nixon on December 29, 1970. -
Family and Medical Leave Act passed
An Act To grant family and temporary medical leave under certain circumstances. The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) is a United States federal law requiring covered employers to provide employees job-protected and unpaid leave for qualified medical and family reasons. -
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North American Free Trade Agreement
In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect, creating one of the world's largest free trade zones and laying the foundations for strong economic growth and rising prosperity for Canada, the United States, and Mexico.