triangle shirtwaist fire

How was the Triangle Waist Company like many other sweated factories at the time?

- low wages, - excessively long hours, - unsanitary and dangerous working conditions.

Why did not many join at first?

- the workers were unorganized, - afraid to join.

What was the overall significance of the fire?

-shows awful working conditions that industrial workers had to face. - led to the Workers Compensation Law which caused reforms to better the situation.

What sort of relief work was set up to help the victims of the fire?

A private group called The Executive Committee helped by: - handing out weekly pensions, - supervising and caring for young workers and children, - helping injured workers get back to work when recovered.

Even though a grievance system was established for workers, why was it not always successful?

Many shops were controlled by unscrupulous (unfair) owners, who still had unsafe working conditions in the shops.

Why did so many people die in the Triangle Waist Factory?

There was a fire on the top floor caused by a cigarette. Because of the unsafe working conditions: - doors locked, - clothes on the ground, - firefighter ladders and water that couldn't reach up high enough. 146 did not survive.

Why were these people more susceptible (likely) to exploitation (unfair treatment)?

These immigrants desperately needed jobs to survive and were struggling with a new language and culture.

What was the role of the Women's Trade Union?

They helped the young women workers to picket and fence off thugs and police provocation (involvement).

What was the role of the International Ladies Garment Workers.

To organize workers in the women's clothing trade (garment industry).

Do sweatshops still exist in the US today? Explain.

Yes! - 67% of LA garment factories and 63% of NY garment factories violate minimum wage and overtime laws. - 98% of LA garment factories have workplace health and safety problems.

What groups of people typically worked at the Triangle Waist Factory

Young women immigrants (Italian and European Jewish immigrants as young as 14 years old) .

What things led to the exploitation (unfair treatment) of the workers at Triangle Waist?

owners never knew: - the rates paid to the workers, - how many workers there were.