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National Labor Union Founded
The National Labor Union was founded in 1866 by William Sylvis . This was the first nation-wide labor union. The union included skilled and unskilled workers, but prohibited blacks from joining. The National Labor Union fought for the eight-hour work day among other things. This labor movement was important, because it marked the beginning of other labor movements, such as the Knights of Labor (who included women and blacks) . -
Great Railroad Strike of 1877
The financial panic in the East led railways to make a series of pay cuts. In 1877, they made another 10 percent cut, which led to most of their workers walking off the job. This mob of dissatisfied railway workers that started in West Virginia, continued to gain support, and soon there were riots spanning across the United States, and into San Francisco. These riots often turned violent and destructive; they left over 100 people dead and millions of dollars in property damage. -
Homestead Steel Strike of 1892
In 1892 Andrew Carnegie’s company company in Pittsburgh experienced a cost-cutting reduction in the number of skilled workers due advances in technology and industrial machinery. The workers began to strike in protest, and Frick hired people to work during the labor strike and also hired Pinkertons to protect the property. A fourteen-hour battle broke out between the strikers and the Pinkerton detectives. The violence surrounding this event did not help the labor union’s movement. -
Pullman Strike of 1894
This dispute between laborers and George Pullman occurred in Pullman, Illinois. In 1893 Pullman laid off nearly half of his employees and cut wages nearly 25-40 percent. However, no cost cuts were made towards the living expense necessary to live in the town of Pullman, Illinois. Eugene Debs, founder of the American Railway Union, tried to resolve this matter peacefully. Union workers stopped handling Pullman rail cars. Eventually, violence did ensue. -
More than Four Million Workers go on Strike for Their Demands
Workers began to strike all over the United States. Workers in the East won some of their demands, however after a strike in Seattle, opinions turned against worker's demands. In another strike, U.S. Steel workers in the number of 340,000 walked out when the owners refused to negotiate in order to meet the workers needs. In this case, public opinion was actually with the steel workers, but it was already too late. The strike ended before getting public support. -
Department of Labor Women's Bureau was Created
Under the War Labor Administration that was set up by the Secretary of Labor, the Woman in Industry service was set up in order to protect women’s health and welfare and promote effective employment. This sector did so well, that the Women’s Bureau in the Department of Labor was formed after the war was over . The goals of the Women’s Bureau include improving working conditions and providing for the opportunity of advancement in the workplace.
