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Knights of Labor Founded
Uriah Stephens forms the Knights of Labor in Philadelphia. The Knights organized workers around the country. This is the first important event regarding labor unions. -
Homestead Strike
The lockout at the Homestead steel works quickly becomes violent when 300 Pinkertons arrive and the employees attack. Both Pinkertons and union members were killed, 18 in total. Court injunctions break up the union. -
Pullman Strike
Angry union workers leave the Pullman factory and go on strike in Illinois. The strike was led by Eugene Debs. It ended in defeat of the unions. -
IWW Founded
Western miners form the Industrial Workers of the World. It was an extremely radical group. They became an inspiration to labor unions everywhere around the country. -
ILGWU Strike
The International Ladies Garment Workers Union calls a strike in NY. They want higher pay and less hours in work week. It was highly successful and is now referred to as the largest labor action by women in history. -
Ludlow Massacre
Miners in Ludlow, Colorado become violent, going on strike. The national Guard comes in and fires, killing many including women and children. After this dispute was completely over, there were more than seventy people killed total. -
Clayton Act
This act was passed by President Woodrow Wilson, who was in favor of labor unions. This act exempted unions from the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. The Sherman Anti-Trust act allowed 'competitive' businesses. -
Samuel Gompers Dies
Samuel Gompers was known as the most influential labor leaders of the earlier labor times. He dies at age 74, which was a major upset to labor unions everywhere. -
Norris LaGuardia Act
Said that workers could not be prohibited from joining unions. Basically, it banned yellow dog contracts. Yellow dog contracts were anti-Union. -
Wagner Act
This act was signed by FDR, and addressed relations between unions and employers. It gave the workers the right to form unions. They could also engage in collective bargaining and strikes. -
WWII
World War II ended in 1945. During the war, there were 35% of employees in unions. Afterwards due to the return of the soldiers and the comfort in the nation, unions had a decline in popularity.
