Overview:

Labor Related Issues of the Period

• The mobilization for war brought thousands of women and minorities into industrial plants to replace the men who went off to war.

Labor Related Events of the Period

1914

Clayton Act passed which limits the use of injunctions in labor disputes.

Ludlow Massacre in Colorado. Wives and children of striking miners are set aflame when National Guardsmen attack their tent colony during a strike against the Colora do Fuel and Iron Company.

President appoints the Colorado Coal Commission to investigate the Ludlow Massacre and labor conditions in the mines following an unsuccessful strike by the United Mine Workers.

1915

LaFollette Seamen's Act, which regulates the working conditions of seamen, created.

1916

8 hour day for railroad workers is created with the passage of the Adamson Act. This averts a nationwide strike.

A Federal child labor law is enacted but is later declared unconstitutional.

1917

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) strike in the Bisbee, Arizona copper mines ended with the deportation of 1200 miners to the desert by the local sheriff.

The president created a mediation commission, headed by the Secretary of Labo r to adjust wartime labor difficulties.

The Federal Government took control of the railroads until early 1920 under legislation which allowed government railroad operation during wartime.

1918

National War Labor Board created by President Wilson.

Women in Industry division of the Department of Labor established.

1919

The nationwide Great Steel Strike led by William Z. Foster defeated.

Labor leaders led by AFL President Samuel Gompers, recommended the inclusion of labor clauses creating an International Labour Organization into the Versailles Treaty.

Boston Police Strike- the first strike by public safety workers in US history.

United Mine Workers struck and earn a 27% wage increase during arbitration with a presidential commission. They were denied the 6 hour day and 5 day week.

1920

The Women in Industry division of the Department of Labor became the Women's Bureau, as part of the Department of Labor by an act of Congress.

The women's suffrage amendment ratified.

The Transportation Act established Railroad Labor Boa rd.

Important Concepts.

Integrating Labor History into Effective Teaching of the Period.

Tom Mooney Case