In 1869, a group of tailors, led by Uriah P. Stephens, formed the Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor. They spread their message in secret, organizing workers of different jobs but not getting political. They realized that labor organizers and labor members would be fired by employers, so the Knights remained a secret organization as long as it could. The Knights differed from the then most notable of unions, the National Labor Union, in that they accepted Blacks and women and unskilled workers. In 1879, Stephens was replaced by Terence V. Powderly, and the Knights became a labor powerhouse. The Knights continued to grow until the infamous Haymarket Square tragedy was unfairly blamed on the Knights, by business owners and officials.
They had many strikes, campaigns, boycotts, and arbitration to get their messages across.
The original Knights of Labor were a group of nine tailors in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1869. They quickly invited all workers to join, however. Their most important goals included an 8-hour working day and a fair pay system.
The Knights of Labor parted from other labor organizations because they were organized by industry rather than by craft.
the knights of labor
The Knights of Labor hoped it could gain improvements for workers primarily through Arbitration.
The Knights advocated broad changes in society, while the AFL focused on specific workers' issues
The Knights advocated broad changes in society, while the AFL focused on specific workers' issues
The Knights of Labor favored political and legislative methods to achieve their goals. As it became more popular and local Knights of Labor organizations became more autonomous, strikes and boycotts became the preferred methods.
The Knights advocated broad changes in society, while the AFL focused on specific workers' issues
The Knights advocated broad changes in society, while the AFL focused on specific workers' issues
He abandoned the secretive nature of the union
They had many strikes, campaigns, boycotts, and arbitration to get their messages across.
The Knights of Labor
The Knights of Labor.
Knights of Labor was created in 1869.
The industrial revolution had placed many women in the work force. In sewing and textile factories women in the 1870's in the US were numerous employees working under bad conditions with low pay. The new and different labor union was the Knights of Labor. Most labor unions were dominated by male workers. In the 1870's, however, women comprised over ten percent of the Knights of Labor.
The original Knights of Labor were a group of nine tailors in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1869. They quickly invited all workers to join, however. Their most important goals included an 8-hour working day and a fair pay system.