“I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.” – John D. Rockefeller

For many of us, Labor Day symbolizes the end of summer, the beginning of the NFL football season and kids returning to school.  But do you know the real story behind Labor Day’s creation? 

In 1894, The Pullman Strike was a nationwide conflict between labor unions and railroads arising in the town of Pullman, Illinois when nearly 3,000 employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company began a strike in response to wage cuts.  The wage cuts were a result of decrease in demand for Pullman Palace train cars during the economic panic of 1893.  Workers became infuriated at the low wages, sixteen hour work days and company’s failure to decrease the price of goods or rents.  This brought traffic west of Chicago to a standstill because many of the workers were members of the American Railway Union led by Eugene V. Debs who supported their strike.  The ARU boycotted by refusing to run trains that contained Pullman cars.  The boycott began on June 26, 1894.  Four days later, the total number of workers that had quit work rather than handle Pullman cars was up to 125,000 on twenty-nine different railroads.  The railroads began hiring replacement workers, also known as ‘strikebreakers’ which increased the hostilities of the workers who were boycotting. 

                On June 29, 1894, Eugene V. Debs gathered everyone for what he intended to be a peaceful meeting to obtain support from other railroad workers.  This gathering got out of hand and enraged workers set fire to nearby buildings and derailed locomotives.  Sympathy workers located in other parts of the country began walking off the job which prevented the transportation of goods.  All of these factors fueled the demand for federal action.  The strike was finally broken by United States Marshals and United States Army Troops, who were sent in my President Grover Cleveland on the premise that the strike was interfering with the delivery of US Mail.  This act violated the Sherman Antitrust Act and was deemed a threat to public safety.  During the course of the strike it was documented that 13 strikers were killed and 57 were wounded.  The damage that the strikers caused was estimated at $340,000 worth of property damage.

                Labor Day became a federal holiday as a direct result of the strike.  Legislation for the holiday was quickly pushed through Congress only six days after the strike had ended due to fear of further conflict.  Labor Day is now celebrated by most Americans with picnics, fireworks and backyard barbeques with friends and family to end their summer.

 We hope everyone enjoys their Labor Day weekend!

 New Empire Group, LTD. offers coverage for Property Managers, Community Associations and Apartment Building Owners!  If you are sponsoring or organizing any events or activities for this Labor Day weekend, double-check your General Liability and Umbrella Coverage to make sure you don’t end up with any unwanted claims!

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