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William H. Sylvis
He led the unionization of skilled iron molders in Pennsylvania and the nation in the late 1850s. Founding the National Labor Union, the first nationwide trade union. Which sought to unite diverse occupations of workers across the country -
Knights of Labor
They pressed for an 8-hour work day for workers. Embraced a vision of a society in which workers, not capitalists, would own the industries in which they labored. They also sought to end child labor and convict labor. -
Pullman Strike
It demonstrated the power of the labor movement. It opened the door to greater court involvement the effectiveness of strikes. It involved as many as 250,000 railroad workers on some 20 railroads. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory
In order to keep workers from stealing or taking unauthorized breaks, the owners locked all stairwells and exits. Then the building which had no sprinklers caught on fire and the workers couldn't exit the building so they either burned or jumped from the high windows. This rose better working and safety standards for workers. -
Samuel Gompers
Recognized as one of the architects of the labor movement. Developed the structure and characteristic strategies of American unions. He effectively used various levers of power to develop the tactics we still see today -
Radium Girls
These women were told to point some brushes on their lips to give them a fine tip, but the brushes had radium on them. So after they had put tons of brushes on their lips they had contracted radium poisoning. Over 50 women died by 1927 making them establish proper safety precautions and protective gear for workers -
Frances Perkins
Helped form government policy for working with labor unions. Establish the first minimum wage and overtime laws. Defined the standard 40 hour work week and restricted the use of child labor. -
Martin Luther King
His "I Have a Dream" speech stressed the importance of both civil and labor rights. Marchers and organizers were asking for a universal $2 minimum wage. King's support of labor predated the 1963 march. -
Cesar Chavez
He led the first successful farm workers union in American history. Achieving dignity, respect, fair wages, medical coverage, pension benefits, and humane living conditions. As well as countless other rights and protections for hundreds of thousands of farm workers. -
Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike
Led to greater economic mobility for Black Workers. Through their union, striking workers agreed to receive Social Security payments in lieu of a pension. The city then agreed to give Black Sanitation workers raises and recognize their union. -
I've Been to the Mountaintop
By Martin Luther King Jr. -
Puerto Rican Obituary
By Pedro Pietri -
He Showed Us the Way
By Cesar Chavez -
Address to the Commonwealth Club of California
By Cesar Chavez