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National Labor Union
The National Labor Union was the first national labor federation in the US. It was founded in 1866 and dissolved in 1873, and paved way for future labor organizations in the US. -
The 1st Labor Day
The first labor day in the US was due to the parade in Canada that celebrated workers and laborers (which was originally inspired by their protests against the way the work force was treated). The US held their first labor day parade on September 5, 1882 in New York City. -
Great Southwest Railroad Strike
The Great Southwest Railroad Strike began on March 1, 1886, went on for approximately two months, and involved more than 200,000 railroad workers across five states who were fighting against the Union Pacific and Missouri Pacific railroads. The strike led to the collapse of the Knights of Labor and the foundation of the American Federation of Labor. -
Homestead Strike
The Homestead strike was an industrial lockout and strike beginning June 30 1892 that resulted in a battle between strikers and private security on July 6, 1892. It resulted in a major defeat for the union and a setback for their efforts to unionize steelworkers. -
Pullman Strike
The Pullman strike occurred on may 11, 1894 and was a nationwide railroad strike. Though 250,000 workers went up against 12,00 that were involved in the Pullman company, the General Managers association, or the US National Guard, the strike was unsuccessful. -
Textile Workers Strike of 1934
Due to the new deal and the creation of the NRA (National Recovery Administration), the way that textile workers worked was affected and changed. Due to this, textile workers joined the United Textile Workers union and held a walkout on September 3, 1934. -
The Wagner Act
The Wagner Act is also known as the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. It is the part of US labor law that provides the basic rights of private sector employees to organize into trade unions, engage in collective bargaining for better terms and conditions at work, and take collective action including strike if necessary. -
1930s General Motors Sit Down Strike
From December 30, 1936 to February 11, 1937, the General Motors Sit Down Strike occurred. This strike led the UAW (United Automobile Workers) into a major labor union, as well as the unionization of the domestic US automobile industry. -
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938
Also known as the FLSA, is a labor law that creates the right to a minimum wage, and "time-and-a-half" overtime pay when people work over forty hours a week. It also prohibited most employment of minors in "oppressive child labor". -
Steel Strike of 1959
It was a 116 labor union strike beginning on July 15, 1959 and ending on November 7, 1959. While a positive result was no immediately found due to this strike, minimum wages were eventually increased.
