The Pullman Company, founded by George Pullman, manufactured railroad sleeping cars and also operated a town outside Chicago called "Pullman." Workers in Pullman faced various grievances, including low wages, high rent for company-owned housing, and poor working conditions.
Specific Causes of the Strike:
* Wage Cuts: In May 1894, during an economic recession, the Pullman Company reduced workers' wages by an average of 25% while maintaining rent and other costs at the same level, significantly straining the workers' livelihoods.
* Arbitration Rejection: Following the wage cuts, workers demanded negotiations and presented their concerns formally. George Pullman refused direct communication with employees and rejected any form of arbitration or compromise.
* Unsanitary Housing Conditions: The town of Pullman had serious sewage and hygiene issues, leading to the spread of illnesses like typhoid fever among its residents. These neglected living conditions added to the grievances of the workers.
* Yellow-Dog Contracts: The Pullman Company required its employees to sign contracts prohibiting union membership as a condition of employment. This practice prevented any attempt to organize labor unions.
Labor Support:
The American Railway Union (ARU), led by Eugene V. Debs, supported the striking Pullman workers. The ARU, with over 150,000 members across various railroad occupations, threatened boycotts against any trains that included Pullman cars.
Escalation and Federal Intervention:
* The boycott by ARU members spread across the country, affecting passenger and freight services, leading to substantial economic disruption.
* President Grover Cleveland sent federal troops to Chicago to prevent disruptions that were deemed by courts as affecting interstate commerce, violating the Sherman Antitrust Act.
* Despite resistance from workers, the troops, in conjunction with police and strikebreakers, forcefully dismantled strike activities, leading to violence and the loss of lives.
The Pullman Strike eventually came to an end after an injunction secured by federal authorities ordered workers back to work on August 2, 1894. However, it brought significant attention to labor-management conflicts and marked a major setback for the labor movement of its time.