Strikes and Riots: 1890-1911
During the late 19th century and early 20th century, America experienced a rapid economic growth. There was an ample amount of natural resources, and supply of labor and a widening market for manufactured goods. The accelerated construction of railroads made it possible for factories to be quickly built and an increasing need for coal to be mined and steel to be milled. With these increases came a rise of workers and workers needed to meet the needs of production and Americans. For such high demands workers were overworked and duped out of hard earned money. This treatment of workers and bad working conditions drove many workers to form and join unions and go on strikes to have their demands met. Some of these strikes changed to riots and brought out an even darker side form company owners.
Homestead Strike
At the beginning of 1892 steel’s price had declined from $25 a ton to $22 a ton. Andrew Carnegie, owner of steel mill plants, wanted to lower wages to mirror the decline of steel’s price.[1] Andrew Carnegie, who had recognized the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers (AAISW) in 1889, tried to negotiate the lower price with the union but, was rejected. Carnegie went on vacation and left his chairman, Henry C. Fink, to negotiate with the union. Frick set up an ultimatum to the AAISW: they either accept the company’s wages by June 24 or be locked out. The union did not accept and workers were locked out.[2] On July 6, 300 men of the Pinkerton Detective Agency’s strikebreakers arrived at the Homestead’s riverbank and were met by armed mill workers.[3] They were there to resume operations in the mill and take back the mill that had been seized by members of the AAISW. Someone fired a shot and for 14 hours sporadic shooting continued. The Pinkertons surrendered with two casualties, 6 steel workers were killed, and many more injured form both sides. The state militia was called upon but, to the workers’ dismay, was there to enforce the company’s position and protect the strikebreakers.[4] Under the pressure of the state and the steel industry, the AAISW surrendered claiming a severe blow to the unions throughout the United States and making Frick the victor of the conflict.
Shirtwaist Strike 1909
Although the shirtwaist strike of 1909 brought victories for workers and unions, all was not so neatly accomplished. Strikes had been occurring against the shirtwaist companies in New York. Women were being fired for joining unions and recruiting for the unions (NYtimes). Wages, work hours, and a big difference in treatment between both genders were a growing issue. Women began vocalizing their demands and making their presence known through meetings and speeches. One woman, Clara Lemlich, gave inspirational speeches, led dozens of strikes[5], and made some company owners very worried. A man was hired to beat Clara Lemlich to try and send a message. Clara used her attack to inspire and motive workers instead of being silent. During the shirtwaist strikes Max Blanck and Issac Harris hired thugs to beat up strike leaders and pressured police to arrest young workers.[6] Many workers were followed and attacked by police and thugs. Employers tried to bribe labor leaders to break up the union but they were discovered.[7]
Coal Miners’ Strikes 1894 and Anthracite Coal Strike 1902
In 1894 coal miners experienced a slash in wages and work hours sending miners and their families into poverty and starvation. The working conditions and living conditions were so intense that the United Mine Workers convention declared a nation-wide “suspension”.[8] Strikers organized and traveled to other mining cities to rally up support by getting other miners to strike. Like many other companies, strikebreakers were brought in to control the strikes and work the strikers’ jobs. Similarly in east Pennsylvania in 1902, coal miners also went on strike. They went on strike for 160 days during the winter causing a panic and the President had to intervene.
Tension in 1894 between the coal miners on strike and strikebreakers escalated that deputies were sent to protect the strikebreakers. Shots between mine officials and strikers were fired. Miners’ wives even attacked those helping the mining companies. [9] In the deadliest encounter deputies killed four strikers when a mob of strikers tried to stop strikebreakers from entering a mine. [10] In1902 coal strikes caused a panic of a possible coal shortage during the winter. President Theodore Roosevelt personally intervened by inviting representatives of the United Mine Workers and coal operators to the White House. Although an agreement was reached, coal operators did not this it was fair and refused to deal with the United Mine Workers union.[11] Although coal miners were urged to strike peacefully they attacked private police forces, armed guards hired by mine owners, and terrorized those who worked during the strike and their wives. A fence surrounding a mine colliery was set on fire in protest. Police then fired at a 13-year-old boy when he walked along the fence; fearing the boy would light the fence on fire.
[1] Kashatus, William C. `If you men don't withdraw, we will mow every one of you down.’, American History. Apr2000, Vol. 35 Issue 1, p52 10p.
[2] Ingham, John N., "The River Ran Red": Homestead 1892, Labour / Le Travail, 07003862, Spring93, Vol. 31
[3] “An American Experience: The Homestead Strike”, PBS, accessed Feb. 19,2014, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carnegie/peopleevents/pande04.html
[4] Kashatus, William C. `If you men don't withdraw, we will mow every one of you down.’, American History. Apr2000, Vol. 35 Issue 1, p52 10p.
[5] “20,000 Women Strike for Worker's Rights”, The City University of New York: Women’s Leadership on American History, accessed Feb 19, 2014, https://www1.cuny.edu/portal_ur/content/womens_leadership/20000women.html
[6] David Von Drehle, Triangle: The Fire That Changed America (Grove Press, 2003), 4.
[7] Unknown, “Miss Morgan Aids Girls Waist strikers”, New York Times, December 14, 1909, http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9500E6DF133EE733A25757C1A9649D946897D6CF
[8] Steven, “US Coal Miners Strikes 1894 – Jeremy Brecher”, libcom.org, June 23, 2013, https://libcom.org/history/us-coal-miners-strikes-1894-jeremy-brecher
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Rachael Marks, “The Great Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902, accessed Feb 19, 2013, http://www.stfrancis.edu/content/ba/ghkickul/stuwebs/btopics/works/anthracitestrike.htm
During the late 19th century and early 20th century, America experienced a rapid economic growth. There was an ample amount of natural resources, and supply of labor and a widening market for manufactured goods. The accelerated construction of railroads made it possible for factories to be quickly built and an increasing need for coal to be mined and steel to be milled. With these increases came a rise of workers and workers needed to meet the needs of production and Americans. For such high demands workers were overworked and duped out of hard earned money. This treatment of workers and bad working conditions drove many workers to form and join unions and go on strikes to have their demands met. Some of these strikes changed to riots and brought out an even darker side form company owners.
Homestead Strike
At the beginning of 1892 steel’s price had declined from $25 a ton to $22 a ton. Andrew Carnegie, owner of steel mill plants, wanted to lower wages to mirror the decline of steel’s price.[1] Andrew Carnegie, who had recognized the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers (AAISW) in 1889, tried to negotiate the lower price with the union but, was rejected. Carnegie went on vacation and left his chairman, Henry C. Fink, to negotiate with the union. Frick set up an ultimatum to the AAISW: they either accept the company’s wages by June 24 or be locked out. The union did not accept and workers were locked out.[2] On July 6, 300 men of the Pinkerton Detective Agency’s strikebreakers arrived at the Homestead’s riverbank and were met by armed mill workers.[3] They were there to resume operations in the mill and take back the mill that had been seized by members of the AAISW. Someone fired a shot and for 14 hours sporadic shooting continued. The Pinkertons surrendered with two casualties, 6 steel workers were killed, and many more injured form both sides. The state militia was called upon but, to the workers’ dismay, was there to enforce the company’s position and protect the strikebreakers.[4] Under the pressure of the state and the steel industry, the AAISW surrendered claiming a severe blow to the unions throughout the United States and making Frick the victor of the conflict.
Shirtwaist Strike 1909
Although the shirtwaist strike of 1909 brought victories for workers and unions, all was not so neatly accomplished. Strikes had been occurring against the shirtwaist companies in New York. Women were being fired for joining unions and recruiting for the unions (NYtimes). Wages, work hours, and a big difference in treatment between both genders were a growing issue. Women began vocalizing their demands and making their presence known through meetings and speeches. One woman, Clara Lemlich, gave inspirational speeches, led dozens of strikes[5], and made some company owners very worried. A man was hired to beat Clara Lemlich to try and send a message. Clara used her attack to inspire and motive workers instead of being silent. During the shirtwaist strikes Max Blanck and Issac Harris hired thugs to beat up strike leaders and pressured police to arrest young workers.[6] Many workers were followed and attacked by police and thugs. Employers tried to bribe labor leaders to break up the union but they were discovered.[7]
Coal Miners’ Strikes 1894 and Anthracite Coal Strike 1902
In 1894 coal miners experienced a slash in wages and work hours sending miners and their families into poverty and starvation. The working conditions and living conditions were so intense that the United Mine Workers convention declared a nation-wide “suspension”.[8] Strikers organized and traveled to other mining cities to rally up support by getting other miners to strike. Like many other companies, strikebreakers were brought in to control the strikes and work the strikers’ jobs. Similarly in east Pennsylvania in 1902, coal miners also went on strike. They went on strike for 160 days during the winter causing a panic and the President had to intervene.
Tension in 1894 between the coal miners on strike and strikebreakers escalated that deputies were sent to protect the strikebreakers. Shots between mine officials and strikers were fired. Miners’ wives even attacked those helping the mining companies. [9] In the deadliest encounter deputies killed four strikers when a mob of strikers tried to stop strikebreakers from entering a mine. [10] In1902 coal strikes caused a panic of a possible coal shortage during the winter. President Theodore Roosevelt personally intervened by inviting representatives of the United Mine Workers and coal operators to the White House. Although an agreement was reached, coal operators did not this it was fair and refused to deal with the United Mine Workers union.[11] Although coal miners were urged to strike peacefully they attacked private police forces, armed guards hired by mine owners, and terrorized those who worked during the strike and their wives. A fence surrounding a mine colliery was set on fire in protest. Police then fired at a 13-year-old boy when he walked along the fence; fearing the boy would light the fence on fire.
[1] Kashatus, William C. `If you men don't withdraw, we will mow every one of you down.’, American History. Apr2000, Vol. 35 Issue 1, p52 10p.
[2] Ingham, John N., "The River Ran Red": Homestead 1892, Labour / Le Travail, 07003862, Spring93, Vol. 31
[3] “An American Experience: The Homestead Strike”, PBS, accessed Feb. 19,2014, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carnegie/peopleevents/pande04.html
[4] Kashatus, William C. `If you men don't withdraw, we will mow every one of you down.’, American History. Apr2000, Vol. 35 Issue 1, p52 10p.
[5] “20,000 Women Strike for Worker's Rights”, The City University of New York: Women’s Leadership on American History, accessed Feb 19, 2014, https://www1.cuny.edu/portal_ur/content/womens_leadership/20000women.html
[6] David Von Drehle, Triangle: The Fire That Changed America (Grove Press, 2003), 4.
[7] Unknown, “Miss Morgan Aids Girls Waist strikers”, New York Times, December 14, 1909, http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9500E6DF133EE733A25757C1A9649D946897D6CF
[8] Steven, “US Coal Miners Strikes 1894 – Jeremy Brecher”, libcom.org, June 23, 2013, https://libcom.org/history/us-coal-miners-strikes-1894-jeremy-brecher
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Rachael Marks, “The Great Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902, accessed Feb 19, 2013, http://www.stfrancis.edu/content/ba/ghkickul/stuwebs/btopics/works/anthracitestrike.htm