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Atlanst's Washer Woman Stike
The Washerwomen Strike began as a small movement but quickly grew to include 3,000 Black laundry workers united in their demand for higher wages, greater control, and more respect on the job. Their strike became one of the earliest significant examples of union organizing in the U.S. In the end, they not only secured better pay but also helped establish the recognition and rights of laundresses and Black women workers as a whole. -
Homestead Steel Strike
The 1892 Homestead Steel Strike was a violent clash between Carnegie Steel workers and Pinkerton detectives that had a lasting impact on the labor rights movement. It exposed the brutal tactics corporations used to suppress unions, turning public opinion against private security forces in labor disputes. However, despite initially strengthening worker solidarity against corporate aggression, the strike ultimately contributed to a decline in union power within the steel industry. -
Pullman Palace Car Co. Stike
The Pullman Palace Car Company Strike was a massive railroad strike and boycott that severely disrupted rail traffic across the Midwest. Involving 250,000 workers across 20 railroads, the strike showcased the strength of the labor movement but also diminished public support due to the violence that ensued. Ultimately, the strike played a role in the establishment of Labor Day as a national holiday in the U.S. -
Mother Jones
After witnessing the labor uprisings of the late 1800s, Jones became actively involved in workers' movements and later joined the fight for miners' rights in the early 1900s. She organized miners for the United Mine Workers and, in 1903, led a march of 100 children from Philadelphia's textile mills to New York City to draw attention to the need to abolish child labor. The march continued all the way to President Theodore Roosevelt’s Long Island home. -
McKee's Rocks Strike
The McKees Rocks Strike began after a disappointing payday when workers received lower wages than usual. Forty riveters demanded to know their pay rates and refused to work until they were informed. When they returned three days later, they were fired, which became the tipping point. Within 48 hours, 5,000 workers went on strike. This not only proved that Slavic workers could successfully organize but also showed their ability to do so under harsh conditions. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire claimed the lives of over 140 young women workers, highlighting the terrible conditions in sweatshops. The tragedy sparked public outrage and became a catalyst for the labor rights movement, leading to the implementation of crucial labor safety regulations in New York State, including fire safety codes. It also strengthened support for worker unions and demands for better workplace protections. -
Samuel Gompers
Samuel Gompers, the founder of the American Federation of Labor, led a national labor organization committed to improving working conditions for millions of American industrial workers. His influence peaked during President Woodrow Wilson's administration, particularly between 1912 and 1920, when the AFL reached a high point of political power and successfully implemented much of its agenda with strong backing from the White House. -
Frances Perkins
Secretary Perkins played a key role in creating the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which established a minimum wage and restricted child labor in many workplaces. Her most significant contribution was helping to design the Social Security Act of 1935. She also founded the Immigration and Naturalization Service and advocated for liberal immigration policies, though some of her efforts faced resistance, particularly in Congress. -
A. Philip Randolph
Randolph founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and was a trailblazer in promoting racial equality within the labor movement. He led efforts to secure better wages and working conditions for both Black and white workers. As a key organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, he was among the leaders who met with President John F. Kennedy following the event. -
Cesar Chavez
His union’s efforts led to the passage of the 1975 California Agricultural Labor Relations Act, the only law in the nation that safeguards farm workers' right to unionize. On April 10, 1966, a crowd of 10,000 farm workers and supporters gathered at the California state capitol to celebrate a major victory in one of the most pivotal strikes in American history, an event that brought Cesar Chavez national recognition as the leader of the National Farm Workers Association. -
Martin Luther King Jr. - I've Been to the Mountain Top
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Pedro Pietri - Puerto Rican Obituary
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Cesar Chavez - He Showed Us the Way
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Cesar Chavez - Address to the Commonwealth Club of California
