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Mother Jones
Mary "Mother Jones" Harris was born in Cork County, Ireland, who immigrated to North America to escape famine in Ireland. She was a worker in America with her husband and four children until they died due to yellow fever. She traveled across the country after losing everything in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Along the way, she supported and started several movements aiding workers and their struggles. -
Labor Day Created
President Grover Cleveland signed the law where the first Monday in September is Labor Day. This day is in remembrance of labor workers contributions and their mistreatment. It was celebrated through parades and was met with very positive responses -
The Strike at Homestead Mill
Andrew Carnegie -
Nelson Cruikshank
Nelson Cruikshank was a labor lobbyist and government official born in Bradner Ohio, on June 21, 1902. He advocated for Social Security Disability Insurance in 1956, and was a major contributor of Medicare. He lobbied in favor of labor workers in 1944, and he also organized a special labor committee to advocate for medical assistance to the elderly. -
McKees Rocks Strike
The strike occurred around the Pressed Steel Car Co. plant in McKees Rocks. Exploitation meant there were daily injuries and deaths, and also not being paid an established wage. This led to strikes where one striker was killed, and 5,000 people were mourning his death. This gained sympathy from workers of other professions which effectively stopped the production of Pressed Steel Car, which gave them an established wage with more pay, while rehiring strikers. -
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a a civil rights leader based in Atlanta. His work focused on civil rights as well as labor rights. He dedicated his life to advocating for unity, equity, and strongly opposing injustice and discrimination. -
Dolores Huerta
Dolores Huerta who is a. American leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers alongside Cesar Chavez. She helped combat women's issues and helped elect more Latinos in political office, and primarily fought for better worker environments. -
Cesar Chavez
Cesar Chavez was a labor rights and civil rights activist born in Yuma, Arizona. He dedicated a portion of his life advocating for labor workers and leading the United Farm Workers labor union alongside Dolores Huerta. His contributions are widespread, and he is one of the most known labor rights advocate. -
NFWA March and Rally Speech
Dolores Huerta delivered a speech on this date, voicing the concerns of the labor workers in California. She brings light on the conditions and exploitation of farm workers, and how the farmers will no longer take the mistreatment from employers, governments, etc. She speaks with power and unity that represents all of the farmers and labor workers in California. -
I've Been to the Mountaintop
Martin Luther King Jr. -
The Great Postal Strike of 1970
In 1970, postal employees were severely underpaid and overworked. The strike amassed 200,000 workers and forced congress to act, and raise their wages by 14% after the strike. They formed a union afterwards with enough power to bargain for wages, working conditions, and benefits. -
The Chinatown Struggle
The Chinatown Struggle was in New York, where Chinese worker were underpaid and mistreated. They advocated for wage increase, holidays, personal pay, etc. However, the employers wanted to hire new workers at the federal minimum wage ($3.35), and increase the work week. This led to a strike where it was a constant battle for fair treatment over months. The strike went to a point of a mass rally which led to 15,000+ people in support all in one place, swaying the opinion of contractors -
Address to the California Commonwealth Club
Cesar Chavez