Labor Rights Movement Timeline

  • Founding of the American Federation of Labor (AFL)

    Founding of the American Federation of Labor (AFL)
    The AFL was founded by Samuel Gompers to protect the rights of skilled workers. It aimed to secure better wages, working conditions, and hours through collective bargaining.
  • The Strike at Homestead Mill

    The Strike at Homestead Mill
    by PBS
  • The Homestead Strike

    The Homestead Strike
    This was a major labor strike against the Carnegie Steel Company in Homestead, Pennsylvania. It turned violent when private security clashed with striking steelworkers. The strike highlighted the struggle for workers' rights in industrial America.
  • The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

    The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
    A devastating fire in New York City that killed 146 garment workers due to poor working conditions and locked doors. This event led to major reforms in workplace safety laws.
  • National Labor Relations Act

    National Labor Relations Act
    Also known as the Wagner Act, this law gave workers the legal right to form unions and engage in collective bargaining. It marked a turning point for labor rights in the U.S.
  • The Delano Grape Strike

    The Delano Grape Strike
    Organized by the United Farm Workers (UFW) and led by César Chávez, this strike protested low wages and poor working conditions for farmworkers. It resulted in increased labor rights and better pay.
  • Puerto Rico Obituary

    Puerto Rico Obituary
    By Pedro Pietri
  • He Showed Us the Way

    He Showed Us the Way
    by César Chávez