Worker's Rights

Workers Protesting

     Workers in the 1830s decided they weren't being treated as they should. To speak their minds they formed a labor union. A labor union is a group of workers who band together to seek better working conditions. In 1836, mill owners raised rent of company owned boarding houses, where all the women lived. Around 1,500 women went on strike because they wanted better conditions. Other workers wanted shorter hours with higher pay. Over 140 strikes took place in the years 1835-1836. In 1837 jobs were scarce and workers were scared to cause trouble. After that the labor movement fell apart. But still, their efforts led to the President ordering a ten hour workday for government workers.