His/125 Week 4

What I feel to be one of the most important strikes in the 1900’s was known as the “Uprising of the 20,000”. This strike was brought on by unfair working conditions at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory. Spontaneously women started walking out in protest that they were getting treated unfairly and were not getting paid what they deserved. Even though it was called the Uprising of 20,000, it is believed that as many as 40,000 women had walked out of the jobsite to protest these atrocities. At this point the women were constantly getting arrested by police and getting beaten by thugs hired by the manufacturers. This is when the union stepped in.

The WTUL (Women’s Trade Union League) wanted to try to protect these women in any way they could. So they gathered meetings with other unions to try and make the strike one that was recognized. What this means is that the strike would actually be official. After fourteen weeks of striking the women finally won their argument for better wages and better working conditions. But the factory itself refused to sign the agreement and continued to do business as usual.

Many things were accomplished by this strike. For starters it gave this specific group of women the right to better wages and a safer working environment. These women had fought for so long and dealt with severe beatings for what they believed in. But regardless they stood up and won what they rightfully deserved. This also paved the way for other workers in other factories to stand up and fight for what they believe in. giving hope to everyone in the textile business. I feel that we wouldn’t have the fair working conditions that we do today if wasn’t for strikes like this one that fought for the right to get good pay and safe working conditions. Because of this strike there are people all over the world knowing that they can go to work and be as safe as possible and know that they are going to get paid good for the back breaking work that they do. So they made many...