Case Study – Homestead Strike http://www.history.com/shows/men-who-built- america/videos/homestead-strike

CASE STUDY: Homestead Strike In the mid- and late 1800s, a time when unions were first organizing, clashes between labor and management were not uncommon, and sometimes, they got entirely out of hand. One such instance occurred at Andrew Carnegie's steel plant in Homestead, Pennsylvania, in 1892. The event was triggered by a general downturn in the economy that led to a steep drop in steel prices. At Andrew Carnegie's steel plant in Homestead, Pennsylvania, the decision was made to cut wages. The workers protested, of course. Many were members of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers, one of the strongest unions of this time, but the contract expired that June. Plant manager Henry C. Frick, with Carnegie's blessing, was determined to enforce the wage cut and break the union while he was at it. He refused to negotiate with the union, offering to negotiate only with individual workers. When the union refused, Frick closed the plant down. The workers went on strike. Frick then hired 300 Pinkerton agents (private security guards) to guard the plant. As they approached Homestead by river barge, word swept through town. Workers and sympathizers gathered on the banks of the river and a deadly gun battle broke out. The fight ended with three Pinkerton agents and seven workers dead and the surrender of the Pinkerton agents. This initial victory by the workers quickly turned sour for them when the Pennsylvania governor called in 8,500 National Guard soldiers to put an end to the violence. With peace restored, Frick called in strikebreakers—workers willing to cross the strikers' picket lines and work in the plant. Four months later, their resources exhausted, the workers gave in and returned to their jobs. The union was broken. It was 26 years before unions regained any power in the steel industry.

In the mid- and late 1800s, a time when unions were first organizing, clashes between labor and management were not uncommon, and sometimes, they got entirely out of hand. One such instance occurred at Andrew Carnegie's steel plant in Homestead, Pennsylvania, in 1892.

Write a description of the image and what you see happening Write a description of the image and what you see happening. Use prepositions to express where things are in relationship to other things and people, such as behind, beside, in front of, next to.

Identifying What rights was management exerting at Carnegie's steel plant? What rights were the strikers exerting? Comparing and Contrasting In what ways are today's labor- management disputes similar to and different from the dispute at Homestead? Explain your answer. Evaluating Should the government have gotten involved in this strike? Explain.