Question

In the Homestead Strike of 1892, the manager of Homestead Steelworks locked union steelworkers out of his plant. As a result, the union workers went on strike. A gun battle ensued between the union members and a group of armed men Homestead had hired. The dispute was ultimately resolved when 6,000 state troops reopened the plant. What was the reason for this dispute in the first place?

Answer 1

The reason for this dispute was proposed cuts to wages for workers at the Homestead plant.

Henry Clay Frick, the acting manager of the Homestead plant, proposed a 22 percent cut to wages for workers. This was due to tough economic times for the company. This cut to wages angered workers, as they would not make enough money to support their families. This resutled in a heated dispute between the factory workers and management. After violence broke out between the union workers and the Pinkertons, the state government sent in troops to keep the peace between the two conflicting parties.

Answer 2

Answer:

Big businesses like Homestead were anti-Union. Unions served to protect workers’ rights, including working hours and conditions, which slowed production.

Explanation:

Yet the state government sided with Homestead and big business, and the union was defeated. Other companies’ workers unionized and struck for better working conditions following the Homestead Strike.