Unions began as organized groups of laborers that asked for better working conditions and higher wages. Their voices went unheard and some of the labor unions resorted to riots, strikes and sometimes even violence. Within a six year period, between 1880 and 1886, there was a dramatic increase in union membership. (Document 12) One of the most known labor union strikes was the Pullman Strike. Wages for the workers had been reduced five times, sometimes as much as 70%, and the employers had raised worker’s rent. This resulted in a strike by the workers which caused a disruption in railroad travel. (Document 4) “We struck at Pullman because we were without hope.“ (Document 4) This shows how desperate the working class became because they were without help. The only step the Government took was to break up the strike, leaving the workers to fend for themselves. Had the federal Government been more supportive of the workers, it might not have been necessary for the working class to resort to strikes and
Unions began as organized groups of laborers that asked for better working conditions and higher wages. Their voices went unheard and some of the labor unions resorted to riots, strikes and sometimes even violence. Within a six year period, between 1880 and 1886, there was a dramatic increase in union membership. (Document 12) One of the most known labor union strikes was the Pullman Strike. Wages for the workers had been reduced five times, sometimes as much as 70%, and the employers had raised worker’s rent. This resulted in a strike by the workers which caused a disruption in railroad travel. (Document 4) “We struck at Pullman because we were without hope.“ (Document 4) This shows how desperate the working class became because they were without help. The only step the Government took was to break up the strike, leaving the workers to fend for themselves. Had the federal Government been more supportive of the workers, it might not have been necessary for the working class to resort to strikes and