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The Pullman Strike Chicago, 1894. Interior of a Pullman Sleeper Car. Pullman Palace Car Company. Railway car company owned by George Pullman Over 6,000 workers Workers had lived in “company town” Rent was 25% higher than other areas . Pullman, Illinois. Origins of the Strike.
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The Pullman Strike Chicago, 1894 Interior of a Pullman Sleeper Car
Pullman Palace Car Company • Railway car company owned by George Pullman • Over 6,000 workers • Workers had lived in “company town” • Rent was 25% higher than other areas Pullman, Illinois
Origins of the Strike • Historical Context: Depression of 1893 • Pullman cuts workers’ wages • But doesn’t cut rent for apartments
Strike Begins • May 10, 1894- Workers walk out
ARU Supports Pullman Workers • American Railway Union is a NATIONAL union of railway workers • Eugene Debs, ARU leader, decides to support Pullman strikers • Across the nation, railway workers refused to run trains that had Pullman cars attached to them • The country is paralyzed
Violence Erupts • Presence of Federal troops sets off riots • Rioters burn buildings, troops kill 4 and wound 20
End of Strike • By August, strike fall apart • 1000 union workers fired • New workers have to sign contracts promising not to join a union • Debs arrested and jailed for 6 months