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Railway Strike of 1877
A strike against Baltimore and Ohio railroad causes many strikes throughout the northeast. This is the first time federal troops were called out for a strike on labor. This is why this strike relates to the labor movement because the anger of of laborers was recognized. -
Haymarket Riot (1886)
A labor rally turns into a riot in Haymarket Square in Chicago. A bomb was thrown at the police and it causes a fire. This causes turmoil for the labor movement because it's reputation was tarnished. -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890)
This law was made to stop monopolies from happening. This act was used against unions. This relates to the labor movement because -
Pullman Strike (1894)
Union workers walk out of the Pullman's Company Factory in Pullman, Illinois because of unfair and paternalistic treatment. The strike was put together by Eugene V. Debs and the American Railway Union. This strike ended in defeat. This event relates to the labor movement because back then, laborers did not want to work if they barely had any freedom and if they were treated unfairly. -
ILGWU Strike (1909)
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) demands a 20 percent pay raise and a 52 hour workweek. This causes more than 20,000 other women to strike and walk off their jobs. This affects the labor movement because its the largest labor action by women in history. -
Postwar Strike Wave (1919)
A "wave" of strikes breaks out during 1919. Over 40,000 coal workers walk off the job. The police also strike which causes turmoil in Boston, Massachusetts. This really affects the labor movement because because there are so many strikes going on that society cannot function successfully. -
Samuel Gompers dies
Gompers was the first and longest-serving president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). THe AFL grew to be the largest labor federation in the world. He dies at age 74 -
Norris-LaGuardia Act (1932)
The Norris-LaGuardia Act made it illegal for employers to make their employees promise not to join a union. If the employee did not promise not to join a union, they would not be hired. This act is related to the Labor Movement because this kept people from getting jobs. -
Perkins named Secretary of Labor
Frances Perkins becomes Franklin Roosevelt's Secretary of Labor. Perkins was a big supporter of the minimum wage and unemployment insurance. She is one of the reasons why the labor policy changed so much. -
Fair Labor Standards Act (1938)
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) established the minimum wage and child labor laws. Laborers were required to earn no less than 25 cents. Since 1938, the minimum wage has increased significantly.
