The Pullman Strike is a significant event in American labor history, and it is crucial for students to understand its impact on society. It occurred in Pullman, Illinois, in 1894, when workers at the Pullman Palace Car Company went on a strike to protest unfair wages and deteriorating working conditions. The Pullman Strike was a critical moment in American history, and educators should teach students about its causes, events, and outcomes to provide them with a deeper understanding of the issues faced by American workers in the late 19th century.
The Pullman Palace Car Company was a leading manufacturer of luxury railroad cars, and its workers were skilled craftsmen who comprised a considerable portion of the American workforce. However, the company’s management imposed aggressive wage cuts and increased workload, and it mandated that workers could only purchase goods and services from company-owned stores and rental homes. These policies led to employee discontent, and in 1894, the American Railroad Union (ARU) voted to organize a boycott of Pullman-manufactured cars.
The strike began on May 11, 1894, when ARU members refused to work on Pullman-manufactured cars. The boycott quickly spread throughout the country, and other unions, including the International Association of Machinists and the American Federation of Labor, joined the ARU in solidarity. The strikers faced government opposition, as President Grover Cleveland sent federal troops to prevent the railways from carrying Pullman-manufactured cars because it was disrupting the US mail system. Over 250,000 workers participated in the Pullman Strike, and it resulted in the destruction of railroads and other property.
The Pullman Strike led to a vital legal precedent, as the Supreme Court declared that the federal government had the authority to prevent obstructions to interstate commerce, even if it required military intervention. This decision ushered in a new era of government intervention in labor disputes, and it reinforced the power of corporations over their employees. It also prompted widespread discussion of the labor movement’s tactics and the government’s role in regulating labor relations.
Educators should teach students about the Pullman Strike’s events and outcomes to instill the importance of workers’ rights and the impact of government policies on labor organizations. Lessons should focus on the causes of the strike, the ARU’s tactics, and the government’s response. Students should also learn about the legal precedent that emerged from the strike and how it reshaped labor laws in the United States.
