-
The Great Railroad Strike
Caused by poor working conditions and wage cuts of railroad workers, the strike was caused by the terrible treatment of the railroad workers, many of whom were immigrants. It began in West Virginia and spread to multiple other states, eventually leading to violent intervention from authorities. This strike showed the harsh conditions of workers and how they were treated when asking for more fair terms, leading the way for future reforms. -
The Pullman Strike
A nationwide railroad strike, it began in Chicago when workers from the Pullman Company protested wage cuts. It then spread to other railroads, disrupting transportation across the county. The government even stepped in to stop the boycott. Although many were replaced by non-strikers, it lead to awareness of labour condition and issues. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
The fire killed 146 workers due to the unsafe conditions of the building the fire took place in. Things like no fire extinguishers, locked fire escapes, and not enough room in elevators caused the fire to kill as many as it did. This drew national attention to dangerous conditions in factories, and eventually left to more safety regulations, and paved the way for safer work environments. -
The Wagner Act
Signed into law by Roosevelt, it guaranteed workers the right to form unions. It created the National Labor Relations Board to protect workers from unfair employers. This act strengthened the labor movement, improving labor rights legally. -
Cesar Chavez makes Commonwealth Club Address
In his address to the commonwealth of America, Chavez called for support for worker's rights. He argued why the public should support the workers as they protested, explaining their terrible work conditions. He urged the public to stand up for justice and face the inequality in America. -
Fight for $15
Still ongoing, this protest advocates for raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour for workers in common industries. Some of the biggest being fast food and retail, targeting big companies like McDonald's. Starting with protests in New York and Chicago, it eventually led to wage increases like it set out to do.