1. Workers Unite

2. Unions Unions- organization of workers to fight for better rights
Strikes- workers unite and refuse to work until needs are met.

3. Opposing Unions
Yellow-dog contract- required a worker to not join a Union
Lockout- employers prevent unions from forming by denying them entry to work
Blacklist- list of people considered union starters

4. The Great Strike of 1877 First major organized strike
railroad workers protested a cut in wages walked off job and smashed equipment
President Hayes sent army to reopen railroad

5. Larger Labor Unions
Knights of Labor- first labor union that opened membership to EVERY worker who wanted it
8 hour workday, equal pay for women, end to child labor

6. Haymarket Affair
Haymarket Affair (1886)- Police try to break up rally supporting nationwide strike for 8 hour workday in Chicago
A bomb is thrown at police
11 people die
This hurts the K.O.L.

7. American Federation of Labor
Formed by Samuel Gompers
3 aims:
Collective bargaining- negotiations between workers and employers
Closed shops- companies could only hire union members
8 hour workday

8. Homestead Strike (1892)
Workers strike at one of the Carnegie Steel mills due to wages being cut
Led to an armed conflict and 12 deaths

9. American Railway Union (1893)
founded by socialist Eugene V. Debs
Socialism- government ownership of all industries
Led Pullman Strike- a railroad company, slashed workers wages
Strike ends when President Cleveland orders mail attached to rail cars (federal crime to obstruct mail)