Labor Unions and Labor Unions and StrikesStrikes

Goal 5.3Goal 5.3

Knights of LaborKnights of LaborThe Great RxR strike was a The Great RxR strike was a failure. Workers decided failure. Workers decided that they should unite.that they should unite.Knights of Labor Knights of Labor – first – first nationwide industrial union. nationwide industrial union. Accepted all labor types.Accepted all labor types.Leader was Terrance Leader was Terrance PowderlyPowderlyThere demands – 8 hr. There demands – 8 hr. workday, = pay for women, workday, = pay for women, abolition of child labor, abolition of child labor, worker-owned factories. worker-owned factories. Used strikes and had great Used strikes and had great success. In one year success. In one year membership grew from membership grew from 100,000 to 700,000 people.100,000 to 700,000 people.

Haymarket RiotHaymarket RiotTheir was a nationwide strike on Their was a nationwide strike on May 1. In Chicago, things turned May 1. In Chicago, things turned violent. Police and strikers violent. Police and strikers clashed and one worker dead.clashed and one worker dead.On May 3, workers in Chicago On May 3, workers in Chicago met in Haymarket Square to met in Haymarket Square to protest killing. 3,000 people protest killing. 3,000 people gathered to hear speeches.gathered to hear speeches.Police enter square and someone Police enter square and someone threw bomb. Police open fire and threw bomb. Police open fire and workers shot back.workers shot back.8 people (German immigrants 8 people (German immigrants and anarchist) were arrested. No and anarchist) were arrested. No one knew who threw bomb but all one knew who threw bomb but all 8 were convicted and 4 executed.8 were convicted and 4 executed.This incident hurt Knights of This incident hurt Knights of Labor because one of the men Labor because one of the men arrested was a member. arrested was a member. Membership declined.Membership declined.

Pullman StrikePullman StrikePullman was a company in Illinois Pullman was a company in Illinois that made Pullman cars for trains. that made Pullman cars for trains. It was a company town and all It was a company town and all company workers must live there company workers must live there and buy supplies from company and buy supplies from company towns.towns.Depression caused Pullman to Depression caused Pullman to cut wages. Hard to pay rent and cut wages. Hard to pay rent and buy supplies. 3 workers buy supplies. 3 workers complained and were fired. complained and were fired. Others decided to strike.Others decided to strike.Management decided to have Management decided to have mail cars attached to Pullman mail cars attached to Pullman cars. If they refused to move cars. If they refused to move trains with Pullman cars, they trains with Pullman cars, they were interfering with the delivery were interfering with the delivery of US Mail, violation of Federal of US Mail, violation of Federal Law.Law.President Grover Cleveland sent President Grover Cleveland sent in troops to end strike. Court also in troops to end strike. Court also issued an injunction to end strike. issued an injunction to end strike. Strike ended. Strike ended.

Triangle Shirtwaist FireTriangle Shirtwaist FireSewing company. Lock Sewing company. Lock doors to keep women doors to keep women from stealing fabric.from stealing fabric.

1911, Triangle Shirtwaist 1911, Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in NY caught fire Fire in NY caught fire and 150 dead b/c of no and 150 dead b/c of no way out.way out.

Unions called for strict Unions called for strict building codes and fire building codes and fire hazardshazards