Labor Movements & Workers’ Rights

Development of OSHA - The Occupational, Safety, Health Act (OSHA) of 1970 provided for employee rights in the workplace and demanded that safety standards be maintained, with federal regulation ensure enforcement.

Farmer-Labor Movement - Minnesota's Farmer-Labor Party, a coalition of reformers and radicals, flourished during the years between the world wars. In 1944, the Farmer Labor Party merged with the Democratic Party, producing the D.F.L. party that is still strongly engaged in Minnesota politics. 

Farmer Protests (F.F.O.) in Marathon Country - Marathon County has one of the largest percentages of farmers in the state of Wisconsin.  The National Farmers’ Organization (N.F.O.) was and still is a reform group found in Marathon County.

Great Railroad Strike of 1877- In 1877, one of the nation’s largest railroad strikes occurred.  This topic involves an analysis of the railroad workers’ rights and the railroad companies’ responsibilities. 

Growth and Change in the Teamster’s Union and its Responsibility to its Members -  Since the first unions were formed in this country in the mid to late 19^th   Century; the labor movement has seen tremendous changes.  The Teamster’s Union’s responsibility to its members has also changed since this union’s beginnings.

Haymarket Riot - In 1886, many workers went on strikers to support an eight-hour workday. Policemen killed two strikers and the following night, police went to Haymarket Square to break up the protesters.  A riot broke out, and when this revolution was done 60 policemen were wounded, and 8 were dead.

Homestead Strike: Reaction to Labor Unrest - The Homestead Strike, which occurred in 1892, was a strong reaction to problems in a steel factory near Pittsburgh, PA.

Labor Unions - Labor Unions continue to play an important role in American life today.  The first labor unions were developed as a reaction and as a revolution in the workplace.  Fighting for better wages, shorter work hours, and better working conditions, etc. labor unions are also constantly reforming the lives of millions of people in our country and worldwide.

Oshkosh Woodworkers’ Strike of 1898 - In 1898, Oshkosh Woodworkers struck.  Much state attention was drawn to Oshkosh.  These workers struck to demand better working conditions. In opposition, the workers and the employers encountered each other. 

Seattle General Strike – The General Strike in Seattle lasted from January 21 until February 11, 1919 and triggered a national hysteria that was later termed the “Red Scare.”  The year 1919, following the end of World War 1 the previous November, would see widespread labor unrest in the United States.

Teamsters Strike of 1934 - Industrialization and the Great Depression hit the working class of Minneapolis hard in the 1930s. In 1934, the anger of Minneapolis workers crystallized into a rebellion embodied by the truck drivers' strike of 1934. In this protracted struggle, four people died and 200 were injured. As a result   of the strike, the revolutionary workers of Minneapolis found the solidarity and courage they needed to demand their rights on the job.  

Smith-Lever Act (1914) – On May 8, 1914, Woodrow Wilson signed the federal Smith-Lever Act, establishing the Cooperative Extension Service, an agency dedicated to providing educational programs for rural people not attending college.  It was the culmination of a broad movement advocating the use of education and science to improve agriculture and rural life.

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire - In 1911, over one hundred people (mostly women) were killed when the factory that they worked in caught on fire. Poor working conditions caused the high number of deaths. This fire lead to improved safety conditions for workers. 

The Pullman Strike – George Pullman had established the Pullman Palace Car Company in Pullman, IL. Workers there had to pay higher rents and higher utility costs than those workers in nearby towns. On May 11, 1894, workers protested wage cuts and went on strike. The government supported the Pullman Company in this strike.

Unemployment Compensation Law - In 1921, Henry Huber wrote an unemployment compensation bill. Johnson Wax of Racine, WI had already setup a similar unemployment compensation program for its company.  In 1930, an unemployment compensation law was passed.  Wisconsin became the first state to have income insurance for unemployed workers.  Since 1930, millions of dollars have been paid to jobless workers in our state.

Uriah Stephens and/or the Knights of Labor - Uriah Stephens, a reformer, began one of the first unions, the Knights of Labor.  This labor union built a network of local assemblies.  It also brought blacks and other racial groups in.  This reform of working conditions was essential to the growth of other unions in America.

Wisconsin Labor Movement - Movement started before statehood. The bricklayer’s union was in Milwaukee as early as 1847. Labor force reckoned with during the “Bay View Riots.”

Woodworkers’ Strike & Thomas Kidd’s Trial of Oshkosh - This encounter in the 1890s involved unions and business owners.  Factory workers in Oshkosh were unhappy with their wages and working  hours. Some factories even hired children.  Thomas Kidd, a union official from the National Woodworkers’ Union, came to Oshkosh to help the strikers. Samuel Gompers of the American Federation of Labor also came to Oshkosh during this strike.  

Workers' Compensation Law of Wisconsin (First in the Nation) - The 1911 session of the Wisconsin legislature was one of the most important in the state's history - passing the nation's first workers compensation law as well as other major reforms.