Labor May 2026

: Tragedies like the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire , which killed 146 workers trapped by locked exit doors, served as a catalyst for national workplace safety reforms.

: From the West Virginia Coal Mine Wars to the Pullman Strike, workers have historically united across racial and ethnic lines to balance the power of large corporations. : Tragedies like the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory

The modern workday is a direct result of historical labor movements. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, activists fought for fundamental rights that many now take for granted, including the five-day work week, safer working conditions, and the end of child labor. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries,

: Today, the labor movement is evolving to address new challenges like the gig economy, AI integration, and workplace mental health. Key Events in Labor History - AFL-CIO including the five-day work week