Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers - The Homestead Strike

The Homestead Strike

The Homestead strike was a major turning point for the union.

Carnegie placed strong anti-unionist Henry Clay Frick in charge of his company's operations in 1881. With the union's contract due to expire on June 30, 1892, Frick demanded a 22 percent wage decrease, then unilaterally announced that if an agreement was not reached he would no longer recognize the union.

Frick locked the workers out on June 29. The striking workers ringed the plant and patrolled the Monongahela River (which ran alongside the mill) to prevent anyone from entering. Local sheriff's deputies failed to retake the plant on July 5.

Frick then sent 300 Pinkerton National Detective Agency guards to seize the plant and re-open it on the night of July 5. The Pinkerton men were ordered to approach the plant from the river. But the strikers learned of the Pinkertons' arrival. The Pinkertons attempted to land about 4 a.m., and the crowd surged onto the Homestead plant grounds. A shot was fired, then both sides opened fire. Two workers and two Pinkertons died and dozens were wounded. The Pinkerton tug departed with the wounded agents, leaving the remaining agents stranded.

The strikers continued to sporadically fire on the stranded barges, and an attempt was made to sink the barges with a cannon. When the Pinkertons tried to disembark again at 8:00 a.m., a firefight broke out and four more strikers were killed. The strikers attempted to burn the barges several times during the day, but failed. At 5:00 p.m., the Pinkertons surrendered and were handed over to the sheriff.

On July 9, despite union claims that law and order had been restored, Governor Robert E. Pattison ordered the state militia to seize the town. More than 8,000 militia arrived on July 12, and within 90 minutes company officials were back in their offices. Strike leaders were charged with conspiracy, riot, murder and treason.

The strike collapsed after an anarchist gained entrance to Frick's office and shot and stabbed him (although not mortally). Public support for the strike evaporated, and large numbers of strikers began crossing the picket line.

The AA was nearly bankrupted by the job action, and voted to return to work on November 20, 1892. In February 1893, the company and the union agreed to drop the charges filed against one another.