The ​s​ons and Daughters of Labor

50th Year Anniversary Edition: A look back at our most popular articles! 

Continued on next page   Continued on Page 4 

 
 The Knights of Labor was a workers
union that formed in Philadelphia in 1869. The
diverse group of people pursued broad social
reforms and stood for better wages, the
eight-hour work day, and an end to child labor.
By the 1890s, the Knights had lost most of
their popularity following a series of failed and
violent strikes.
The American Federation of Labor was
formed in 1886, and unlike the Knights of
Labor, it is a craft union. This means that rather introduced to the public. Forty-three groups of
than organizing all workers that were willing to people who opposed the aggressive tactics of
participate, the AFL sought to organize only
skilled workers in small, specialized unions.
Whereas the Knights of Labor recruited about
60,000 African Americans, the AFL has often
found ways to exclude them, as well as women.
The AFL mainly focuses on workers’ wages,
hours, and working condition issues, relying on
economic pressure, such as strikes and
boycotts, which we have seen time and time
again. This differed from the Knights’ tactics,
which included political activity and education. Join your brothers and sisters in the fight
The AFL has also been known to use collective to improve lives by becoming involved in a
bargaining, which is known as a process where union!
workers negotiate in groups with employers, as
working in groups has more power than single
workers. They have even pressed for a “closed
shop,” or a workplace in which only union
members would be hired, to strengthen their
collective bargaining power.
In Chicago in 1905, another union was
International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union, 1911.
the AFL workers founded the Industrial The Secret Life of Trade Union Members
Workers of the World, or Wobblies. The IWW Written By Medhanit Desta
is a radical, largely socialist union that focuses March 1913
on unskilled workers, and strikes. Union membership is growing at a fast
Each workers union has experienced pace. Everywhere you go, you will find a trade
great success and losses throughout the years union. ​They help specialists in issues like
by using their various tactics, but they have all reasonable pay, the development of great
contributed to the efforts to improve workers’ workplaces, and long periods of work. Our
rights and lowering​ the fatality rates within the purpose is to link workers with their superiors.
workplace.
2
 According to ​NIBUSINESSInfo​, the role
of labour unions and their representative is to
set out the terms and conditions (like pay,
advantages and working time) to be
i​ncorporated into the business contracts of the
specialists in the bartering unit. Since trade
unions began,​ ​the wages of union members
have increased 17%.
An example of someone who joined a
union and saw their wages rise is Tom
Mooney. A member of the Iron Molders Union
and IWW Mr. Mooney, protests for higher
wages and he supports collective bargaining.
His wages went up because being a trade union
member gave him the capacity to limit the
supply of work to an occupation.
Eat, Sleep, Work. A typical day in the
life of a trade union employee is as follows: a
cup of coffee in the morning, a quick breakfast
and a difficult day at work.
Labor membership is worth the fee.
Union members receive collective​ ​bargaining
rights. Collective Bargaining is people banding
together to increase their power.
Trade unions might have an honest goal
in mind, but the way the operations are running
make it difficult for our goal to become a
reality. (Our goal is to develop equity is the
labor business.)
Many people are not aware of what life
is like for us. It’s hard, it’s frustrating, because
sometimes people don’t get a chance to be
heard because of the lack of well management
but the fact that people are joining forces to
make a change shows that improvement is
happening.
Molly Maguire Trial Concludes!
An End to the Bloodthirsty Brotherhood
Written By Annie Goldman
December 1876
The prosecution of John Kehoe and the
Molly Maguires has concluded with a verdict
that this secret society is in fact guilty of the
outbreaks of brutal violence, including the
murder and kidnapping that has taken place in
the coalfields of Schuylkill County,
Pennsylvania for years.
3
The trials have been ongoing since January.
The star witness in court was private
investigator James McParland, who was hired
by the Pinkerton detective agency to go
undercover with the organization. The number
of individuals who have engaged in these acts
claim that their actions are on the basis of
improving working conditions for the poor.
The combination of economic depression
that is being experienced across the nation, low
wages, and the dangers that workers are
constantly facing has left McParland with the
thought that the Mollies have been trying to
mirror the revolutionary efforts that are
occuring in major cities, such as New York and
Boston.
Although these people have left almost
no traces of their secret society’s motives or
aims, McParland has learned that the group is
largely composed of Irish, Catholic immigrants
that had originally emerged in North-Central
Ireland in the 1840s. They were aiming to
respond to the miserable working​ ​conditions
and treatment that the working class was
receiving from tenant landlords.
McParland, under the alias “James
McKenna,” collected evidence of murder plots
and reported them in order to prevent another
disaster from striking. In the two year period of
time that he spent investigating, he also learned
that the Molly Maguires include over 30,000
members.
McParland’s testimony describes secret
meetings that he attended, the password system
that was created, and the different requirements
and protocols for carrying out their crimes.
According to the published transcript of the
trial, the leaders of the Mollies created an
environment of fear and intimidation
rather than inclusion, which makes them very
unusual.
This group of workers’ willingness to
help our comrades improve the conditions in
the workplace are somewhat appreciated,
help our comrades improve the conditions in
the workplace are somewhat appreciated,
but their efforts have proved to be quite
dangerous. This controversial labor union’s
actions were heavily criticised in court,
influencing the jury to ultimately decide that
many members of the Molly Maguires would
be hung for their crimes.
While violent and dangerous methods are
not supported, we encourage taking action by
joining a union! Take control of your rights
within the workplace!
The Danger of Excessive Independence
The Hidden Pitfall of Laissez Faire
Written By Salma Chicas
October 1903
(Continued)
to our treatment, revealing the government’s
failure to realize the burden they have placed
on the economy as well as the laborer’s
reputation: Laissez Faire.
Laissez Faire is recognized as an
innovative, laid-back approach to regulating
the economy. Sounds ideal right? Turns out,
Laissez Faire is only beneficial to you if you
4
are a wealthy entrepreneur, seeking to attain
the cheapest and most efficient ways to have
quality products to sell. Handing more
independence to the corporations and
businesses which run our country, our brothers
and sisters have been stripped of basic rights
such as reasonable work hours and wages.
Bosses and employers have the opportunity to
abuse their power, invincible to the law and
only having to answer to themselves.
Laborers lack a voice strong enough to
stand up and to create a case. Our voices are
silenced by the workers who control our pay,
our hours, our conditions. They are our puppet
masters, holding us by strings we cannot cut,
once we are cut off, we have no income; no
income means no way to provide; no way to
provide for a mother to provide for her
children. We are left with very few options, but
each decision entails suffering of some
creation. Why should businesses be able to run
free? Why do these businesses and
corporations gain independence and rights
before we do?
 They are protected by the law;
meanwhile, we are not even able to get a jury
to hear our words. Businesses are not people,
they do not understand the silenced frustration
of our factory workers who are unable to voice
their pain when losing a finger, the misery of
seamstresses when her back aches from
hovering over a neverending machine all day,
the stress of a child roaming the streets,
requesting for spare change, unable to decide if
they too should work with their factory worker
and seamstress parents. Josephine Clara
Goldmark, an active advocate for laborers,
reveals the burdens of a worker: “Exhaustion,
or over-fatigue, follows when the warning is
disregarded and the organism is pushed beyond
its limits by further forced exertions.” Laissez
Faire has allowed businesses to lose integrity,
to grow mischievous and mean-spirited.
We cannot be blamed for our
conditions, neither can our genetics. The
disparity between workers and their bosses is
the doing of the government’s poor control of
businesses. We must advocate to change,
amend, and create laws to protect us. We need
to be active in politics in our society. We need
to let our government know that it must
function according to the various groups which
it is responsible for. Not everyone is a rich,
American entrepreneur.
Controversy Of Child Labor
Written By Medhanit Desta
February 1879
Over the past years, disagreements on
child labor have begun to receive attention
from the greater public. Some argue that child
labor is legal, while others argue that child
labor is illegal or suggest that we should just
eliminate the worst forms of child labor. People these contrasting arguments, a solution has
who argue child labor should be banned know
that children are in danger. They protest that
it’s a disgrace that children should be working
in such terrible working conditions, putting
their young, inexperienced lives at risk
everyday. Children deserve their freedom.
Also, children have weaker bones than adults
5
because their bodies haven’t matured yet,
therefore children are in more danger than
adults because of their limited strength.
Others who protest child labor
shouldn’t​ ​be banned think that child labor
teaches the kids responsibility and discipline.
They would learn how to take care of
themselves and learn about the economy.
These young kids would be educated on
finances faster, and they would learn how to
use their money wisely.
Then there are the people who are stuck
in the middle. These people argue that child
labor is dangerous, but also argue that child
labor helps children mature faster. With both of
been developed. The solution is to eliminate
only the worst forms of child labor like
working in coal mines. But what is considered
“lightwork?” Working conditions everywhere
are terrible.
There are many laws that are attempting
to regulate child labor. For example, in 1876
the labor movement started to protest for
minimum age laws to be passed. The Workers
Men Party have suggested to ban the
employment of any child under the age of 14.
This proposal is starting to get more support,
including that from the AFL.
You’ve heard all three sides of this
controversial argument of child labor. Which
side do you agree with? Do you suggest Child
Labor should Stay or Not be allowed anymore?
Or do you think Child Labor should become
limited to “lightwork” only?
​ ​Calling for meeting in Haymarket Square, May 4, 1886.
A Strike Gone Too Far
The Decline of the One of the Most
Progressive Unions in of Our Time
Written By Salma Chicas
June 1914
The Knights of Labor, once trusted as the yourselves! In all quietness, prepare yourselves
most progressive union of our era has faced a
critical hit to its reputation, leaving many
questioning if it is in their best interest to
continue their memberships with the union.
The KOL, founded in 1869, followed the
failed yet merit worthy efforts of the National
Labor Union to gain reforms in current labor
laws. Carrying a clear purpose to improve the
conditions of laborers, the union had produced
relentless momentum. Their progress has
allowed them to be recognized as an
embodiment of hope for the public of workers.
However, their flawless portrait has become
tainted by the recent events of the Haymarket
Riot. At the riot, it is said that Anarchists
served as additional support for the laborers,
joining their cause in hopes of suppressing the
laborer’s hunger. August Spies, present at the
riot, weighs in on the events prior to being
charged guilty for assistance in murder, “​we
cannot leave anything to our children but
poverty and slavery. Therefore, prepare
6
for the Revolution!”
Although anarchist assistance was
appreciated, it eventually got out of hand.
It was believed that one anarchist was
responsible for a bomb thrown into a police
formation, which the Knights of Labor would
eventually be blamed for. The bashing of the
Knights of Labor meant the bashing of unions
as a whole; people came to view unions as a
source of radical expression. We do not know
if we can hold the Knights of Labor
accountable for the bombing which took place.
Notable efforts of the NLU include their
attempt to persuade congress to reduce the
working hours for laborers; however, after
failing to do so, the union’s efforts seemed to
dwindle, paving way for a new Union. The
Knights of Labor were refreshing for our
political agenda, they succeeded in leaving no
laborer behind: the skillful, skill-less, from any
craft. The Knights of Labor became the first
union to successfully bind together workers of
various backgrounds, all sharing the same goal,
to improve their working conditions. In 1877, a massive strike among railroad
Nonetheless, I pose a few questions to workers broke out across the country, proving
you my brothers and sisters, Is your loyalty to detrimental to the nation in terms of
the Knights of Labor worth ruining the image transportation. A worker who participated in
of unions as a whole? If so, be prepared to be the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 talked to ​The
called a radical. A new solution could be laying Sons and Daughters of Labor r​ eporters; he
right in front of us, our best solution, we cannot wishes to remain anonymous for his own
afford the labor movement to be stifled by the safety. In explanation of why they went on
fall of one union. We must focus on our greater strike, he said, “We accepted the first 10%
cause, we need to reinvent our image, perhaps wage cut. But the second wage cut and the
with a new union. A union which includes only increase in size of trains without increasing the
the most skillful workers, men and women of size of crews was too much. As laborers, we
certain trades. There is power in numbers, so barely earned enough to support ourselves in
we shall face our bosses together. There is the first place. The combination of harder work
power in our grimey hands, our breaking shoes, and lower wages put us over the edge. So we
and our knack for collaborating. We are stopped working, and blocked the trains. It was
powerful, we cannot be mistaken for radicals the only way available to us to fight for our
for we are laborers. rights.”
Other railroad companies proceeded to
Diving into the Great Railroad Strike of cut wages for their workers as well. Workers
1877 for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad company
By Ali O’Neal-Freeman prevented the movement of trains. Workers in
September 1900 Martinsburg, Virginia followed suit. The
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad company reached
7
out to the governor for help, eventually leading
to the calling of the militia. The strike spread to
Wheeling and Parkersburg, where Governor
Matthews appealed to President Hayes. On
July 19th, federal troops arrived in Virginia.
Their arrival scared the railroad workers
enough to get the trains moving again.
This, however, was not the end of the
strike. The strike continued spreading, popping
up in Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. One
of the major bouts of violence took place in
Maryland, where the governor ordered for the
state militia. 10 civilians were killed. In
Pittsburgh, the strike was widely supported.
When the militia marched out of the railroad
station, a crowd of furious onlookers began to
pelt them with stones. The militia fired dozens
of shots into the crowd, killing 20 and
wounding 29. Workers at surrounding factories
and shops heard of the murders, and rushed to
the scene. Throughout the night, laborers and
soldiers exchanged gunfire. In the morning, the
crowd of workers set fire to the railroad station
and cars.
 President Hayes issued a proclamation
ordering all strikers to disperse within a day, or
federal troops would be sent out. Other workers Henry Frick was shot and stabbed on July 23,
in industries such as breweries, foundries, and
flour mills ceased work as well. However,
federal and state soldiers then arrived, putting
an end to the strike once and for all. One
worker said, “we were shot back to work.” The
federal government was able to inflict violence
on the strikers, forcing them to hop on the
trains, and get them rolling again.
The magnitude of the strike was
staggering. 75,000 miles of railroad track
stopped moving. 100,000 railroad workers
went on strike, 100 people died, and 1,000
people were thrown in jail. The anonymous
striker said, “The strike might not have been a
complete success, but we did get a couple of
our demands met after returning to work. I am
very happy about the power us laborers have
and what we accomplished. We are all one,
working together towards the same goal. And if
it takes shutting down the railroads for people
to pay attention to us, so be it.”
The Near Assassination
Written By Ali O’Neal-Freeman
August 1892
but miraculously survived. Henry Frick, head
of the Carnegie Steel company is a steadfast
opponent of labor unions, as reported in this
paper. Frick’s opposition to negotiating with
the Amalgamated Association ended in
violence when he cut wages for workers at the
Homestead Plant.
The Amalgamated Association did not
accept the wage cut, and Frick locked the
workers out of the plant. Frick hired 300
Pinkerton Agents to crush the strike that had
emerged, and a shoot-out between the
Pinkerton Agents and the strikers resulted in 16
dead. The focus of the public and media on the
strike helped boost its impact and
effectiveness. However, the focus was shifted
to Frick when a Russian anarchist entered
Frick’s office intending to murder him.
Alexander Berkman shot Frick twice in
the neck, then Frick’s aides ran in to help him.
While Berkman was being tackled to the
8
ground, he stabbed Frick in the leg. But Frick
survived, It is rumoured that he even dictated a
couple of business letters while he was in the
hospital. He was back at work in a week. This
attempted assassination shocked the nation, and
ended up being beneficial to Frick in his fight
against the workers at Carnegie’s Steel
Homestead Plant. It shifted the focus of the
media and the public away from the strike,
making the strike less effective.
Dear Anne (feature)
Written By Ali O’Neal-Freeman
November 1890
DEAR ANNE,
I’ve been working at the same collar
factory for thirteen years. My boss is cruel and
doesn’t let us go to the bathroom until our
lunch break. I work twelve hours a day and I
have stabbed my finger with the sewing needle
multiple times due to exhaustion. I don’t get
paid enough to support my two children. The
labor union is tempting because I would be
able to fight for my rights, but my boss
threatened to fire those who joined. I need to
keep this job to put food on the table for my
children. Should I risk joining the union? Or
should I just settle with what I have? I beg for
your help Anne.
--JUST ANOTHER STRUGGLING MOTHER
DEAR JUST ANOTHER STRUGGLING
MOTHER,
I’m so sorry about your unfortunate
situation. From your letter it seems that your
current factory job is neither safe, sanitary, nor
providing you with enough money to support
your family. I strongly advise you to take the
risk, and work alongside powerful laborers
who share similar beliefs as you do. Labor
unions are the only way to effectively fight
against bosses. I’m sure you will be able to
keep it hidden. Good luck and best wishes,
--ANNE
KEEP UP WITH THE RECENT STRIKES
FURTHER DISCUSSION REGARDING
STRIKES CAN BE FOUND IN NEXT
WEEK'S PAPER. FOR THOSE WITH
QUESTIONS, PlEASE WRITE US.
9
SEE CROSSWORD ON NEXT PAGE 10.
CROSSWORD CLUES:
Down:
1). Otherwise known as the Industrial Workers
of the World
2). Major railroad that was completed in 1869
3). Northern industries commonly hire
immigrants rather than ______ ______ because
they are willing to work for lower wages
4). True or false: our comrades are being killed
in factories while simply trying to support their
families
6). Largest union of our time
7). Tactic used by unions to help their
members, besides political activity and
education
8). Chairman of the Carnegie Steel Company
10). Factories are becoming known as this
because of the hard manual labor being done in
them with poor conditions, causing workers to
sweat
12). Economic concept that is virtually
opposite of capitalism
14). Fraction of school-age children in the
United States that are employed
15). While the AFL works to further the rights
of skilled workers, the IWW is composed of
______ workers
21). John Kehoe led the ______ Maguires
CROSSWORD

10