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The Great Southwest Strike
This strike was done against a railroad company, it started with the firing of a foreman in Marshall. the Knights of Labor soon took hold and organized a strike, soon after the strike began the militia and Texas rangers were order to stop it and fighting broke out. In the end the Knights of Labor's strike came up as unsuccessful and was the first major loss in the Labor Movement. -
The Haymarket Riot
This riot was caused by a group of workers protesting about police brutality against labor strikes. During the chaos of protesting someone threw a bomb into the crowd of police and 8 people were killed. In the end no one knows who threw the bomb but 8 labor activists were convicted even with the lack of evidence. the major labor movement group, the Knights of Labor, were destroyed because of the negative outlook from the public. -
Homestead Strike
Members of the Carnegie Steele workers in Pennsylvania decided to go on strike in 1892. They were protesting to fight having to work longer hours and their wages being cut. This was so detrimental to the Labor movement because a private security group ended being hired and many of the protesting workers were killed in the chaos and it also worked out in favor of the workers because the unfair treatment was halted -
The Pullman Strike
Organized by the American Railroad Union they were striking against the treatment of Pullman workers in their living quarters and wages. The Pullman Strike was important because it was the first time a federal injunction had ever been used to break up a strike. George Pullman was no longer regarded as an enlightened employer who took care of his workers, but as a greedy and intolerant man. -
The Shirtwaist Fire
On the top floor of a factory a fire broke out and the workers were not able to escape because the fire escapes were all locked. This fire ended up killing many people they could not escape and it showed the many inconsiderate ways the workers were being treated. After the fire, their story inspired hundreds of activists across the state and the nation to push for fundamental reforms. -
The Great Depression
During the Great Depression membership in labor unions dropped drastically. Workers in the United States were willing to take any job they could and did not care about the conditions. At that moment in time they were just wanting to get a job and bring some money home. -
Norris-La Guardia Act
this law made it illegal for employers to force their workers to not be affiliated with a union. At this time employers were making contracts called yellow dog contracts. This affected the Labor Movement because it restricted the union's ability to help bring better terms and conditions of employment for employees. -
The Wagner Act
The Wagner Act is arguably the most important piece of legislation to date protecting workers’ and unions’ rights. It involved the federal government in this protection and in arbitrating employer-employee disputes, a key step in preventing unjust treatment of workers. Its key principles included collective bargaining and protecting the exercise of freedom of association. Also the act was able to help allow workers to protest and go on strike. -
Fair Labor Standards Act
This Act finally set a minimum wage for workers at 25 cents per hour. Also this act put restrictions on child labor and overtime pay. This Act made life as a worker just more bearable, it caused them to get paid fairly and to where the employer could not take advantage of their workers, it was a major win for the Labor Movement -
Post World War 2
After World war 2 many people came home from service and were able to recover very simply because the United States was doing best out of all the countries that were involved. they were able to have lots of money to give to the veterans for education. this also allowed lots of people join the workforce and join the unions so membership grew drastically.
