The Pullman Strike of 1894: June 26 Events

On June 26, 1894, a significant escalation occurred in the Pullman Strike when the American Railway Union (ARU), led by Eugene V. Debs, formally began supporting the striking workers of the Pullman Company. This day marked a turning point as the ARU expanded the strike beyond the Pullman factory workers to include railway employees across several major railroads.

Background

The Pullman Strike originated in the company town of Pullman, Chicago, where the Pullman Palace Car Company had reduced wages amidst an economic downturn, while not lowering rent for company-owned housing. Frustrated by these conditions, Pullman workers initiated a strike on May 11, 1894. When negotiations between the Pullman Company and the workers failed, the ARU decided to support the workers by refusing to handle Pullman cars, thereby massively disrupting rail traffic.

June 26 Developments

• ARU’s Nationwide Boycott: On this day, the ARU’s nationwide boycott of Pullman cars officially began. The union called for a coordinated effort from railway workers to refuse to operate any trains that included Pullman cars, thus broadening the scope and impact of the strike.

• Involvement of the General Managers’ Association (GMA): The GMA, representing 24 railroads, opposed the boycott, invalidating it as an illegal act aimed at crippling the railway system. Their resistance further fueled tensions between the ARU and the railroads.

• Widespread Disruptions: The strike quickly spread through the railroad network, affecting rail services not only in Chicago but across various states. Approximately 125,000 workers across 29 railroads eventually joined the strike, making it a national confrontation.

Consequences

• Federal Intervention: The growing unrest and paralysis of the railroads prompted calls for federal intervention. On July 3, 1894, President Grover Cleveland dispatched federal troops to Chicago to ensure that mail trains could operate and suppress the strike, leading to violent clashes.

• Legal and Labor Repercussions: The use of an injunction against the strikers and the subsequent arrest of Debs highlighted the growing power of judicial mechanisms used to curb union activities. This set a precedent for future labor disputes and highlighted the complexities of labor relations in an industrializing America.

• Long-term Impact: The strike’s defeat had a chilling effect on the labor movement, but it also led to heightened awareness of workers’ rights and the conditions of laborers, contributing to future reforms and the establishment of Labor Day as a federal holiday in 1894.

The Pullman Strike of 1894 remains a pivotal episode in American labor history, underscoring the tensions between labor rights and corporate interests during a critical period of industrial expansion.