LaborLabor
Samuel GompersSamuel Gompers
American Federation of LaborAmerican Federation of Labor
Eugene DebsEugene Debs
Pullman StrikePullman Strike
Haymarket AffairHaymarket Affair
Homestead StrikeHomestead Strike
In the beginning….In the beginning….
Labor unions began because of:Labor unions began because of:
–Long work hours–Long work hours
–Working ages–Working ages
–Sweatshops–Sweatshops
–Wages–Wages
Women earned half of what menearnedWomen earned half of what menearned
Unions began in late 1700sUnions began in late 1700s
–Very small movements–Very small movements
Knights of LaborKnights of Labor
18691869
Union that was open to all peopleUnion that was open to all people
Supported 8 hour work daySupported 8 hour work day
Equal pay for allEqual pay for all
“An injury to one is a concern for all”“An injury to one is a concern for all”
Samuel GompersSamuel Gompers
Led the Cigar Makers’ InternationalUnionLed the Cigar Makers’ InternationalUnion
Became president of the AmericanFederation of LaborBecame president of the AmericanFederation of Labor
Fought for collective bargainingFought for collective bargaining
Not afraid to use strikesNot afraid to use strikes
S.G. cont.S.G. cont.
Wages rose because of S.G.Wages rose because of S.G.
1890-19151890-1915
–$17.50 to $24/week–$17.50 to $24/week
–54.5 hrs/week to 49 hrs./week–54.5 hrs/week to 49 hrs./week
Eugene DebsEugene Debs
Organized the American Railway UnionOrganized the American Railway Union
Pullman Strike (1894)Pullman Strike (1894)
–George Pullman lowered wages in his comp.–George Pullman lowered wages in his comp.
–Didn’t lower prices in company town–Didn’t lower prices in company town
–Workers went on strike–Workers went on strike
Debs organized strikeDebs organized strike
–Turned violent–Turned violent
–Strikebreakers brought in–Strikebreakers brought in
SocialismSocialism
Government control of business andpropertyGovernment control of business andproperty
Equal distribution of wealthEqual distribution of wealth
Carried to its extreme form =CommunismCarried to its extreme form =Communism
Socialists worked into unionsSocialists worked into unions
–Debs was a socialist–Debs was a socialist
Discredited unions for many yearsDiscredited unions for many years
Haymarket AffairHaymarket Affair
1886 - Chicago1886 - Chicago
3,000 people gathered in Haymarketsquare to protest the police killing ofa striker3,000 people gathered in Haymarketsquare to protest the police killing ofa striker
Someone tossed a bomb into thepolice lineSomeone tossed a bomb into thepolice line
Police fired into the crowdPolice fired into the crowd
Public began to turn against unionsPublic began to turn against unions
Homestead StrikeHomestead Strike
Poor working conditions in CarnegieSteel plant in Homestead, PAPoor working conditions in CarnegieSteel plant in Homestead, PA
Strike called for in 1892 after wageswere to be cutStrike called for in 1892 after wageswere to be cut
Private security force called in tocontrol strikersPrivate security force called in tocontrol strikers
Homestead cont.Homestead cont.
Carnegie wanted to hire replacementworkersCarnegie wanted to hire replacementworkers
–“Scabs”–“Scabs”
Violence ensuedViolence ensued
–3 security agents and 9 workers killed–3 security agents and 9 workers killed
National Guard called inNational Guard called in
Plant closedPlant closed
Steelworkers lost powerSteelworkers lost power