LABOUR Flashcards
Trade unions
Trade unions are an organisation of workers in a trade of profession, formed to protect there rights and interets.
The national labour union
Formed in 1866, consisted of 77 delegates, representing 60,000 workers
Met in Baltimore to launch the organisation.
The economic depression
1873, drove millions of workers into unemployment and out of unions
Baltimore and Ohio railroad strikes
18777, the owners of Baltimore and Ohio announced a pay cut , workers walked off the Job and were joined by other rival workers. Together the mass attacked railroad yards, burning trades and tarring up tracks. The worst was in Pittsburgh where a crowd of 5,000 workers fought 650 federal troops, burning more than 500 cars and 46 buildings. The military eventually restored order before strikers destroyed around 2 million worth of property
The knights of labour , Wabash railroad strikes
In 1885 the knights of labour claimed 100,000 workers and experience great success, when the Wabash railroad tried to break a local union, the knights walked out on strike in sympathy. Within days the entire south-west was paralysed. The Wabash was forced to negotiate with workers
Hay market riots
In 1886 a rally in hay market in Chicago for 8 hour work days turned violent. 8 police officers died nobody was prosecuted. After this the national labour union started to decrease in popularity
The Pullman Strike
1894, supported by American railway union and boycotted railroad using Pullman cars, this paralysed the railroads but also prevents the mail being distributed. President Cleveland was forced to bring in federal troops.
