Chapter 5, Section 4

What was the AFL?

The American Federation of Labor, led by Samuel Gompers, was an organization formed by trade unions. Along with other unions, Gompers requested better working conditions and pay, and the right to collective bargaining.

What happened in the Triangle Shirtwaist Company incident?

In 1911, this company was destroyed by a fire; it was a sweatshop for young immigrant women. Because most doors were locked, on the day of the fire, many were trapped inside; this prevented the workers from leaving early. 150 people died, and this event lead to the International Ladies' Garment Worker's Union.

What were trade unions?

They were organizations formed by workers who wanted better working conditions and better pay. These formed in the 1800's, but there were not too many of them, nor were they effective.

Define collective bargaining.

This is when unions represent workers in labor discussions.

What was the Knights of Labor?

It was a trade union formed by garment workers, which consisted of women, unskilled workers, African Americans, immigrants, and those not usually accepted into groups. It became a national group; because of its great size, it had begun to strike for everything, and in turn, lost public respect.

What happened in the Homestead Strike?

Nonunion workers were hired to replace striking employees at a steel plant. A riot took place, and people died at the hands of armed force. The state's militia was sent; the plant used nonunion workers.

What were the typical working conditions in 1800's factories?

As mass production increased and factories got larger, they also became less personal. Workers usually labored for 10-12 hours a day, six days a week. They could be fired at any time; immigrants may take their job for less money. The conditions were unhealthy and unsafe, and women had lower pay than men. Child labor laws, which stated that no child under 12 years old would work, nor would he work longer than a daily 10 hours, were often ignored.

Explain the Pullman Strike.

Because of cut wages, employees striked; Pullman closed the plant. Railway unions sided with the strikers, refusing to handle Pullman 's cars. Rail traffic stopped, and the Attorney General was asked for an injunction; the union would not end rail strikes. The union leader, Debs, went to jail; President Cleveland sent in troops to end the strike, and it did end. This, again, made the unions look bad.

What occurred at the strike at Haymarket Square in Chicago?

Many died in a clash between the strikers and the police; after this, people viewed the labor movement as disorder, even terrorism.

Why did workers form labor unions in the 1800's?

Workers formed them in order to request better wages and working conditions; the conditions in factories were unsafe, unhealthy, sometimes illegal, dangerous, and just plain awful.