1. Famous Strikes

2. The Great Railroad Strike of 1877

3. The Great Railroad Strike
First major episode of labor unrest!
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad announced a wage cut of 10%, the 2nd in 8 months.
Double Headers-had two engines, twice as many cars and huge increase risk of accident and worker layoffs.
Workers went on strike across East Coast  led to Riots
Violent reactions against companies spread across the country
Local militia in Pittsburgh refused to stop the unrest
President Hayes called in federal troops which caused problems  led to over 100 dead before strike ended
Result:
Weakened railroad unions
Damaged reputation of labor unions because of the disruption and failure.
10%, strikers destroyed equipment, rioted in the streets.

4. Result of Strike Weakened railroad unions
Damaged reputation of labor unions because of the disruption and failure.
10%, strikers destroyed equipment, rioted in the streets.

5. The Great Railroad Strike of 1877

6. X

7. Haymarket Square Riot
AFL was demanding a 8hr workday for all Employers
so they called for a national demonstration day.
If not done by May 1, 1886, called for a general strike
Police broke up a fight between strikers and scabs( strikebreakers who replace striking workers and allow a company to continue working)
Police harassment of workers/strikers killed 4 strikers the day before
Anarchists called for a rally on May 4th in Haymarket Square
Anarchists are political radicals who oppose all government on the grounds that it limits individual liberty and acts in the interests of the wealthy, ruling class.
Police ordered people to disperse, a bomb was thrown (killed 6 officers, 67 injured)
8 anarchists convicted of murder, unjust trial, they were scapegoats
7 sentenced to death 1 suicide, 4 executed, 2 terms to life in prison

8. The Homestead Strike

9. The Homestead Strike
Union Members of AAISW (Iron & Steel Workers union) very skilled workers and AFL negotiated a labor contract with Carnegie’s steel company
While Carnegie was in Europe his partner Henry Frick tried to cut wages for company workers.
After wage cut after wage cut, AAISW called for a strike
Henry Clay Frick called for 300 Pinkertons guards (a private police force known for its ability to break strikes)
Pinkertons moved up the River on barges.
Strikers fired on them from the shore, deaths and injuries occurred on both sides.
3 guards, 10 strikers died, guards surrendered, but company called in PA National Guard (8.000 troops)
Public turned against strikers after Frick assassination attempt
9. AAISW failed in its attempt, membership declined to nothing

10. The Pullman Strike
Pullman Palace Car Company built/repaired at company in Pullman, Chicago
Company built town of Pullman so workers could rent homes from owner, George M. Pullman
Rents high, and in 1893 wages slashed by 25% due to the Panic of (depression), but Pullman refused to lower rents and food prices
Workers went on strike, led by Eugene V. Debs, within days thousands of railroad workers in 27 states/territories went on strike = no transportation from Chicago to West Coast
Most state governors supported Business side, but Ill. Governor Peter Aletgeld was sympathetic towards workers and did not send state militia
Others asked Fed. Gov to send militia, Cleveland disliked unions and sent troops
Union leaders (Eugene V. Debs) were arrested and imprisoned. The strike collapsed.

11. The Pullman Strike