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Knights of Labor founded
The Knights of labor were the first secret labor union that was created to protect employees from unfair practices. This is significant because it was the first union to ever be created and started the idea. -
Haymarket Riot
A labor rally at the Haymarket Square in Chicago, called in support of the eight-hour day, erupts into chaos when an unknown party tosses a bomb at police, who then fire into the crowd. The incident stains labor's image and creates turmoil within the movement. This raised concerns with rioting and the rights of unions. -
Industrial Workers of the World
The IWW, or Wobblies, is one of the most radical of all organized labor groups. Though they will achieve only limited success in moving their agenda forward, the inspired future labor unions and had almost military like composure. -
National Labor Relations Act
It guarantees basic rights of private sector employees to organize trade unions, engage in collective bargaining, and enjoy other rights including striking if necessary. This made it so that people who wanted to organize unions couldn't be stopped. -
Post World War 2 Strike
Workers strike to win wage increases in the face of postwar inflation. The wave of strikes is the worst since 1919 and includes general strikes in Hartford, Houston, Oakland, and other cities. This sets the tone for wages in the future. -
Taft-Hartley ACt
was passed in an effort to limit the power of unions over employees and added a list of prohibited actions by unions, or "unfair labor practices," to the NLRA, which had previously only prohibited unfair labor practices committed by employers.
Specifically, it was passed to address problems like restraining or coercing rights of employees when exercising their rights; discriminating against an employee because of member status in a union -
Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act
The Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act or LMDRA, was passed to impose a code of conduct upon unions, union officers, members, employers and management consultants so that all actors would behave fairly. Essentially, it regulates labor unions internal affairs. -
Kennedy Legalizes Public Employee Unions
An order by President Kennedy allows federal employees to organize, join unions, and bargain collectively with the government. It does not give them the right to strike. The move begins an era of public employee unionization. This gave them much more power and influence. -
Postal Strike
More than 200,000 Post Office workers walk off the job in the first national strike of public employees. Though the action is illegal and President Nixon calls on the Army and National Guard to keep the mail moving, the two-week strike proves largely successful and ultimately leads to a modernization of the postal service. -
Chicago School Strike
The school systems of Chicago went on strike and called for a change in the way that the school district used the money. With the strike they hoped to bring money that was profit to be used as money in the school.
