Chapter 1
Setting The Stage
A Historical Perspective Leading Up To The Birth of Our Union
About
Chapter 1 Historical Timeline
Every union has a beginning, and ours was born out of hardship, determination, and the unbreakable will of workers who refused to stand alone. This page opens the door to the roots of our trade by drawing from Chapter 1 of the Ironworker History Book, “Setting the Stage.” It provides a powerful historical perspective on the economic, social, and industrial conditions that existed before the birth of our union. Here, you will explore labor history leading up to 1896, a period of rapid industrial growth when ironworkers helped build a nation while enduring dangerous conditions, unstable wages, and little protection.
More than a record of dates and events, this chapter shares the stories of struggle, courage, and solidarity that shaped the labor movement in the United States. It highlights the defining moments and collective actions that gave working people a voice and laid the foundation for unionism. As a resource page, this section is meant to educate, inspire and remind us that the rights, standards, and unity we depend on today were earned through sacrifice and resolve.
Videos
| The Men Who Built America: How Steel Forged a U.S. Empire | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI_4QDByiW4&list=PLrRiBVo0E4Jr85p6Df2QxT-7UjNSNQXzH&index=4 |
| Modern Marvels: Building of the Brooklyn Bridge | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I-JFnbJ19U&list=PLrRiBVo0E4Jr85p6Df2QxT-7UjNSNQXzH&index=7 |
Books
| Philip Dray | There Is Power in a Union: The Epic Story of Labor in America |
| Paul Avrich | The Haymarket Tragedy |
| Pope Leo XIII | rerum novarum |
Historical Sites
- Brooklyn Bridge
Ironworkers History & Resources 