Local Labor History

The Knights of Labor was founded in 1869 and was the first national labor union in the United States.

The Pullman Strike was a nationwide railroad strike that began in Chicago in 1894. The strike was led by the American Railway Union and was in response to the Pullman Company's refusal to recognize the union.

The National Labor Relations Act, also known as the Wagner Act, was passed in 1935 and guaranteed workers the right to organize and bargain collectively.

Cesar Chavez was a labor leader who led the United Farm Workers in the 1960s and 1970s. He was a key figure in the fight for the rights of farm workers.

The Flint Sit-Down Strike was a labor strike that took place in Flint, Michigan in 1936. The strike was led by the United Auto Workers and was in response to the General Motors Corporation's refusal to recognize the union.

The Seattle General Strike was a labor strike that took place in Seattle, Washington in 1919. The strike was led by the Seattle Central Labor Council and was in response to the American Federation of Labor's refusal to support a general strike.

The Homestead Strike was a labor strike that took place in Homestead, Pennsylvania in 1892. The strike was led by the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers and was in response to the Carnegie Steel Company's refusal to recognize the union.

The Lawrence Textile Strike was a labor strike that took place in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1912. The strike was led by the Industrial Workers of the World and was in response to the American Woolen Company's refusal to recognize the union.

The Minneapolis Teamsters Strike was a labor strike that took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1934. The strike was led by the Teamsters Union and was in response to the trucking companies' refusal to recognize the union.

The Boston Police Strike was a labor strike that took place in Boston, Massachusetts in 1919. The strike was led by the Boston Police Union and was in response to the city's refusal to recognize the union.

The San Francisco General Strike was a labor strike that took place in San Francisco, California in 1934. The strike was led by the San Francisco Labor Council and was in response to the city's refusal to recognize the union.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was a labor strike that took place in New York City in 1911. The strike was led by the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union and was in response to the Triangle Shirtwaist Company's refusal to recognize the union.

The Haymarket Riot was a labor strike that took place in Chicago, Illinois in 1904. The strike was led by the International Working People's Association and was in response to the police's refusal to allow a peaceful protest.

The Ludlow Massacre was a labor strike that took place in Ludlow, Colorado in 1914. The strike was led by the United Mine Workers of America and was in response to the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company's refusal to recognize the union.

The Birmingham Campaign was a labor strike that took place in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963. The strike was led by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was in response to the city's segregation laws.