1. The workers protest for a voice during the Industrial Revolution.
Strikes
The workers protest for a voice during the Industrial Revolution.

2. What is a strike? Protest by workers.
Workers refuse to work until their requests/demands are met.
Result could be to slow down, stop working, or walk off of the job.

3. Why Go On Strike? Workers want “8 , 8 , 8” Poor working conditions.
“8 for work, 8 for sleep, 8 for what we will…”
There was a need for higher wages.
Workers were not allowed to organize.

4. Famous Strikes Haymarket Riot of 1886 The Homestead Strike of 1892
The Pullman Strike of 1894

5. Haymarket Riot – 1886 Causes:
Workers at the McCormick Harvesting Machine Co. in Chicago protest for an 8 hour work day – Go on strike May 1st.
May 3rd protest between strikers and temporary hires (Scabs) turns violent.
The Chicago Police kill several Strikers trying to restore order.

6. Haymarket Riot of 1886
Actions Taken:
Organizers (Knights of Labor) call for a rally to keep the peace – May 3rd.
May 4th 3,000 workers show up in the evening to hear protest speeches.
The police showed up to control the crowd.
A bomb exploded in the ranks of the police killing seven.

7. Haymarket Riot - 1886 American Public is outraged.
Results:
American Public is outraged.
Union membership across the country drops drastically.
Several Union leaders are put on trial and hanged for inciting the crowd.

8. Dedicated plaque in Chicago for the Haymarket Riot

9. The Homestead Strike of 1892
Carnegie Steel Company in Homestead, PA.
Causes:
Plant manager (Henry Clay Frick) refused to renegotiate a new union contract.
Frick cut wages and refused to deal with the union. (Carnegie agrees and backs Frick)
By late June 1892 workers call for a STRIKE!

10. Homestead Strike gets ugly!
Actions Taken:
Frick tries to “lockout” the Strikers – hires “scabs”.
Pinkertons are hired by Frick to protect “scabs”.
Pinkertons – mill workers clash – July 6, 1892.

11. Battle for the Homestead Mill – July 6, 1892

12. Homestead Strike gets ugly!
Actions Taken:
Frick tries to “lockout” the Strikers.
Pinkertons are hired by Frick to protect “scabs”.
Pinkertons – mill workers clash – July 6, 1892.
Pennsylvania Governor calls in State Militia to restore order.

13. Homestead Strike fades away…….
Workers wages had dropped from an average of $2.25 to $1.89 per day average.
It would be 45 years before a Union would receive another contract in a Carnegie Steel Mill.
Results:

14. The Pullman Strike of 1894 George Pullman – Company Town.
Causes:
George Pullman – Company Town.
A recession in 1893 caused Pullman to lay-off workers and cut the wages.
When the recession was over he re-hired workers, but at the reduced wage 25-40% less.
When Pullman listened to the grievances of several workers they were fired.
Workers go on strike!!! A.R.U. –Eugene Debs

15. What happens next…….
Rail workers refused to touch or hook-up Pullman cars to others.
Railroad owners get an injunction.
All U.S. Mail cars must be attached to Pullman Cars.
Actions Taken:

16. Pullman Strike - Workers return for lower wages.
Results:
- Workers return for lower wages.
- Negative reaction by most people in the U.S. towards UNIONS!!!!!!

17. So what do we know about The Strikes of the Industrial Revolution?
Most strikes were very unsuccessful.
The American public in general did not like or trust the “Anarchist Unions”.
Strikes were often violent and did not create a positive result for the workers.
The economy suffered when major strikes occurred.