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Noble Order of the Knights of Labor
It was organized in 1869, by Philadelphia garment workers. Their goal was to get equal pay for equal work, abolition of child labor, and an eight hour work day. This union was opened to farmers, merchants, and wage earners. -
"How the Other Half Lives: Studies of the Tenements of New York" by Jacob Riis
This book was made in the 1880's to expose the poor housing. There was too many people cramped up into a tiny room, that's not even fit for living. The pictures shows a tenement in New York, and how bad it was. -
The Beginning of Labor Day
Labor Day was created when the union, the Knights of Labor, had a parade through New York. They celebrated for their hard work on this day. Then the next year and every year after that, they had their parade on the same day. This was the creation of Labor Day. -
American Federation of Labor
The union was created all the way back in 1886. The union was made to complete two goals. They were to get better working conditions and better pay. It was a craft oriented union, and they wanted union labels on produced items. -
Haymarket Square Riot
The work force of Chicago marched for 8 hours. The protest was against the McComick Harvesting Machine. Police had to break it up, and anarchists were blamed for violence. In this event, 8 policemen were killed and 100's were injured. The public then began to see unions and anarchists as a problem. -
Homestead Strike
The stirke ended up being one of the most serious disputes in US labor history. It was an industrial lockout and strike resulting in a battle between strikers and private security agents. The event occured at the Homestead Steel Works in the Pittsburgh area town of Homestead, PA. -
Pullman Strike
A company built the town, called Pullman, so that workers could rent homes from the owner; this owner was George M. Pullman. Unfortunately, he put the rents to high, and he refused to lower rent. Workers went on strike, with their leader Eugene V. Debs. In the end the union leader was arrested, causing the entire strike to collapse. -
Coal Strike
It was a strike created by the United Mine Workers of America in the anthracite coal fields of PA. The strike almost worked because it threatened the winter fuel supply of major cities. President Theodore Roosevelt ended it by suspending the strike, and it never resumed. This was the first labor case that the government was in, and didn't choose a side. -
"The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair
The writing of this book led to the creation of the Pure Food and Drug Act. In this section of the book, it describes the disgusting conditions in a meat factory. The book was published in 1905 to expose to the public these problems. -
"The Bitter Cry Of Children" John Spargo
This book written by John Spargo exposed hardships suffered by child laborers. The book describes work in the coal breakers for young children. In the book these kids could die the conditions were so bad. -
Pure Food and Drug Act
This act, was created June 30th, of 1906. it provided federal inspection of meat products of companys. And also prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of adulterated food products and poisonous patent medicines. -
The Trianle Shirt Factory Fire
This event happened in March 25th, 1911, when 146 garment workers died. The problem was that the people in charge sealed the doors shut so the workers would work. When the fire started, nobody could find a way out, causing everyone in there to die. -
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Congress of Industrial Organization
This labor union lasted 20 years, from 1935 to 1955. The union was a part of the AFL, until it split to form this group. This group ended in 1955 when it reintergrated into the AFL. -
The National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act)
This was a pro labor act made in 1935. It was the beginning of the National Labor Relations Board. It gave the government power to punish unfair labor practices. -
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General Motors Sid-Down Strike
In Flint, Michigan; the General Motors employees began to shut down plant operations. The tatic of sit-down strikes was brought to the people. This made the public realize that force was not needed to get their way. -
Federal Regulation of Child labor Achieved in Fair Labor Standards Act
This acted made it so that young children would not be allowed to be employed. It was the first time there was an age and time restriction of work for children. Now lives would not be lost from work accidents. -
Steel Strike
This strike was created by the United Steelworkers of America, This strike won, and they earned an increase in wage, after 53 days of being on strike. It was a strike for equal pay for the work they had done. -
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Major League Baseball Strike
This strike was the very first strike in Major League Baseball history. The games that were missed during this strike were never played because the league refused to pay the players for the time they were on strike. There was a total of 86 games missed over this 13 day period. -
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New York City Transit Strike
This strike began 5 years ago, from December 20th to the 22nd. Millions of commuters were impacted, but by the next day, had it back up and running. During this time period, no transportation was used, so nobody could get to work.
