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The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson
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(Event) Commonwealth v. Hunt
This event was a case about labor rights that reached Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. In order to gain clarity about unions in America as it was unstable during that period of time. Concluding with the court ruling that the law of criminal conspiracy does not include labor unions. -
(Event) The Pullman Strike of 1894
The Pullman Strike was one of the largest strikes in the U.S. with 250,000 workers walking off the job. Resulting from the current failing economy and the 12-hour workdays with little pay workers decided to strike. For about 2 months railroads in the Midwest were disrupted requiring and injunction from the government to cease the strike, the first in U.S. history. -
(Event) Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
As one of the deadliest workplace incident with the deaths of children. Recognition of child labor and its exploits were questioned and condemned. Leading to new requirements for buildings such as exit clearings and the formation of the International Ladies' Garment Worker's Union for workplace safety laws. -
(Event) Bread and Roses Strike (1912)
This was a strike in the textile industry for a better living wage and for their dignity to be honored. From many nations immigrants worked the factories. Immigrants from 51 different nations were packed into 7 square miles. Resulting in demands for labor unions given. -
(Resource) “Labor’s service to freedom” by Samuel Gompers
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(Figure) César Chávez
César Chávez was a symbol for the organized farm workers in the United States. He was able to establish the National Farm Workers Association. His use of protest in a non-violent fashion was similar to that of Martin Luther King, Jr. -
(Figure) Lucy Randolph Mason
With the guidance of Mason the NCL was able pass new state labor laws. She also lobbied for improved labor codes. While doing so she secured the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). -
(Event) National Labor Relations Act of 1935
This act allowed workers the right to organize into trade union as well as take collective actions, Protecting them from the interference of employers to their right to organize or managing organizations internally. The act encouraged for the collective bargaining on both sides. -
(Figure) Nelson Cruikshank
Recognized nationally as an expert on Social Security and serving as the first director of the Department of Social Security at the AFL–CIO. As well as pushing forward Medicare for the elderly. He helped create organizations in the labor movement with his positions of power. -
(Figure) Arthur Goldberg
He served as a legal strategist for labor unions. Representing the newspaper strike in 1938 by way of the Congress of Industrial Organizations. Serving as secretary of labor, Goldberg argued on the behalf of the workers whenever he could including when he as elected to the U.S. Supreme Court -
(Resource) “Freedom Summer” by Fannie Lou Hamer
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I've Been to the Mountaintop by Martin Luther King, Jr.
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(Text) He Showed Us The Way by Cesar Chavez
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(Figure) Lane Kirkland
Lane Kirkland was a labor union leader who secured the re-affiliation of almost all national unions. Kirkland reached out globally to Poland's labor movement a key step in ensuring the collapse of Soviet controlled regimes. Funding Polish workers with more than $6 million in aids. -
(Figure) Thomas Donahue
Thomas Donahue served as the president of the AFL-CIO and led the labor movement's effort to strengthen its economical as well as political positions. Donahue led to an increased institutional response within labor rights movement. Establishing financial services open to union members and new methods of efficient organizing.