The most violent labor conflicts in the nation’s history took place in late 19th century
It got to the point that many feared the country would head toward open class warfare between management and labor. Management held most of the power in its struggles with organized labor. Strikers were easily replaced by bringing in strikebreakers, or scabs. These were unemployed people desperate for jobs. Employers used lockouts, blacklists, yellow-dog contracts, calls onto private guards and state militia, and court injunctions to defeat unions.
The Pullman Strike was a disturbing event in Illinois history. It occurred because of the way George Mortimer Pullman, founder and president of the Pullman Palace Car Company, treated his workers. Organized in 1867, the company manufactured sleeping cars and operated them under contract to the railroads.
The Pullman Strike is important because it is the first time a federal injunction had ever been used to break up a strike. George Pullman was no longer thought of as an enlightened employer who took care of his workers, but as a greedy and intolerant man. He was so offended by his workers' ingratitude. Pullman worried that people would try to steal what was his from him. Shortly before he died in 1897, he requested that his grave be lined in concrete to keep looters from robbing him.
It got to the point that many feared the country would head toward open class warfare between management and labor. Management held most of the power in its struggles with organized labor. Strikers were easily replaced by bringing in strikebreakers, or scabs. These were unemployed people desperate for jobs. Employers used lockouts, blacklists, yellow-dog contracts, calls onto private guards and state militia, and court injunctions to defeat unions.
The Pullman Strike was a disturbing event in Illinois history. It occurred because of the way George Mortimer Pullman, founder and president of the Pullman Palace Car Company, treated his workers. Organized in 1867, the company manufactured sleeping cars and operated them under contract to the railroads.
The Pullman Strike is important because it is the first time a federal injunction had ever been used to break up a strike. George Pullman was no longer thought of as an enlightened employer who took care of his workers, but as a greedy and intolerant man. He was so offended by his workers' ingratitude. Pullman worried that people would try to steal what was his from him. Shortly before he died in 1897, he requested that his grave be lined in concrete to keep looters from robbing him.