Major Labor Unions and What They Did

- In 1866, William H. Sylvis, a Pennsylvania wage worker, united unions creating The National Labor Union
- His ideals attracted 640,000 followers by 1868
- After his death in 1869, his union collapsed making way for new unions to form
- Uriah S. Stephens and some garment workers formed the Knights of Labor which was "secret"
- Knights of Labor welcomed any members regardless of race or sex
- Platform consisted of 8 hr. workdays and no child labor
- 42,000 members in 1882 to 110,000 in 1885
- Winning strikes and rights resulted in an increase in members and vice verse