1. Labor • Samuel Gompers • American Federation of Labor • Eugene Debs • Pullman Strike • Haymarket Affair • Homestead Strike

2. In the beginning…. • Labor unions began because of: • Long work hours • Working ages • Sweatshops • Wages • Women earned half of what men earned • Unions began in late 1700s • Very small movements

3. Knights of Labor • 1869 • Union that was open to all people • Supported 8 hour work day • Equal pay for all • “An injury to one is a concern for all”

4. Samuel Gompers • Led the Cigar Makers’ International Union • Became president of the American Federation of Labor • Fought for collective bargaining • Not afraid to use strikes

5. S.G. cont. • Wages rose because of S.G. • 1890-1915 • $17.50 to $24/week • 54.5 hrs/week to 49 hrs./week

6. Eugene Debs • Organized the American Railway Union • Pullman Strike (1894) • George Pullman lowered wages in his comp. • Didn’t lower prices in company town • Workers went on strike • Debs organized strike • Turned violent • Strikebreakers brought in

7. Socialism • Government control of business and property • Equal distribution of wealth • Carried to its extreme form = Communism • Socialists worked into unions • Debs was a socialist • Discredited unions for many years

8. Haymarket Affair • 1886 - Chicago • 3,000 people gathered in Haymarket square to protest the police killing of a striker • Someone tossed a bomb into the police line • Police fired into the crowd • Public began to turn against unions

9. Homestead Strike • Poor working conditions in Carnegie Steel plant in Homestead, PA • Strike called for in 1892 after wages were to be cut • Private security force called in to control strikers

10. Homestead cont. • Carnegie wanted to hire replacement workers • “Scabs” • Violence ensued • 3 security agents and 9 workers killed • National Guard called in • Plant closed • Steelworkers lost power