-
Great Southwest railroad strike of 1886
Over 200,000 workers from 5 different states were involved. It was particularly violent and 10 people were killed. -
Haymarket Affair
Labor protest rally near Chicago's Haymarket Square turned into a riot after someone threw a bomb at the police. Eight radical labor activists were convicted in connection with the bombing. -
American Federation of Labor is Formed
The AFL (now the AFL-CIO) was a national federation of labor unions. It was founded in May 1886 by an alliance of craft unions in Columbus, Ohio. -
Homestead Strike
The Homestead strike, also referred to as the Homestead Steel Strike or Homestead Massacre is one of the most serious disputes in U.S. Labor History. A dispute between Homestead, Pennsylvania steel workers and the Carnegie Steel Company. It was a major defeat for the unions due to a very large militia presence. -
Pullman Strike
The Pullman Strike was a nationwide strike. Nearly 4,000 factory employers of the Pullman Companies went on strike in response to reductions in wages. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
The Shirtwaist Factory Fire took place in Manhattan, New York City. The fire caused the death of 146 garment workers of men, women, and children. In addition, 71 individuals also suffered injuries. -
The Wagner Act
The Wagner Act, also referred to as the National Labor Relations Act, established the National Labor Relations Board. It also addressed relations between unions and employers in the private sector. -
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938
The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, also known as the Wages and Hours Bill, introduced the forty-hour work week, This established a national minimum wage, guaranteed "time-and-a-half" for overtime in certain jobs, and prohibited most employment of minors (child labor). -
Labor Management Relations Act of 1947
This act provided additional facilities for the mediation of labor disputes affecting commerce. It's purpose was also to equalize legal responsibilities of labor organizations and employers. -
Steel strike of 1959
One of the longest work stoppages in US History. The strike shut down almost every steel mill in the country. It forced President Eisenhower to invoke the Taft-Hartley Act to force workers 'back-to-work'.
