Pullman Strike

Quick Facts: Who was Pullman Strike?

Subject:

Pullman Strike

Known for:

A pivotal 1894 labor strike and boycott that profoundly shaped US national labor law.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Pullman Strike comprised two interrelated strikes in 1894 that shaped national labor policy in the United States during a period of deep economic depression. First came a strike by the American Railway Union (ARU) against the Pullman Company's factory in Chicago in spring 1894. When it failed, the ARU launched a national boycott against all trains that carried Pullman passenger cars. The nationwide railroad boycott that lasted from May 11 to July 20, 1894, was a turning point for US labor law. It pitted the American Railway Union (ARU) against the Pullman Company, the main railroads, the main labor unions, and the federal government of the United States under President Grover Cleveland.

Career & Major Achievements

The strike and boycott shut down much of the nation's freight and passenger traffic west of Detroit, Michigan. The conflict began in Chicago, on May 11 when nearly 4,000 factory employees of the Pullman Company began a wildcat strike in response to recent reductions in wages. Most of the factory workers who built Pullman cars lived in the "company town" of Pullman just outside of Chicago. Pullman was designed as a model community by its namesake founder and owner George Pullman. Jennie Curtis, who lived in Pullman and was president of seamstress union ARU LOCAL 269, gave a speech at the ARU convention urging people to strike.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

As the Panic of 1893 weakened much of the economy, railroad companies ceased purchasing new passenger cars made by Pullman. The company laid off workers and reduced the wages of retained workers. Among the reasons for the strike were the absence of democracy within the town of Pullman and its politics, the rigid paternalistic control of the workers by the company, excessive water and gas rates, and a refusal by the company to allow workers to buy and own houses. They had not yet formed a union. Founded in 1893 by Eugene V. Debs, the ARU was an organization of railroad workers.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1893: 1893 Milestone — As the Panic of 1893 weakened much of the economy, railroad companies ceased purchasing new passenger cars made by Pullman.
2. 1894: 1894 Milestone — The Pullman Strike comprised two interrelated strikes in 1894 that shaped national labor policy in the United States during a period of deep economic depression.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Pullman Strike

True or False: “The Pullman Strike was solely a dispute over wages, with no underlying issues of corporate control or housing.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While wage reductions were central, the strike also involved deep grievances regarding the lack of democracy and paternalistic control within the company town structure.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adolphe Sax — Historical peer (Died in 1894) (1894): Belgian inventor who created the saxophone and revolutionized wind instruments.
• Albert Facey — Historical peer (Born in 1894) (1894): Australian writer and World War I veteran, best known for 'A Fortunate Life'.
• Albert Szent-Györgyi — Historical peer (Born in 1893) (1893): Pioneering Hungarian biochemist, Nobel laureate for Vitamin C and muscle research.
• Alexander Cunningham — Historical peer (Died in 1893) (1893): Pioneering British archaeologist and founder of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pullman Strike