THE HISTORY OF THE LABOR MOVEMENT

B Y S T E P H E N K O P P E K I N

First StepsIn 1842, the court case Commonwealth v. Hunt resulted

in labor unions being declared legal. This opened the

door for the formation of nationwide organizations like

the National Labor Union, Knights of Labor, and others.

O R G A N I Z I N G L A B O R

19th century unions campaigned for better pay,

an eight-hour workday, better working conditions,

and some even went so far as to demand medical

care and other causes.

While some unions were more inclusive, like the

Knights of Labor, many unions refused to admit

African-Americans, Chinese immigrants, women,

or unskilled laborers to their ranks. 

S T R I K E S

Unions' most powerful tool was the strike. In

fact, there were over 37,000 strikes between

1881 and 1905.

In 1893, 250,000 workers in 27 states went

on strike to demand better conditions and

pay; however, this massive demonstration

ended with a decisive defeat for the forces

of labor. 

Visit StephenKoppekin.netF O R M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N