That is why workers were forced to react violently because the matter was extremely crucial for them. All of them had a fear that they would not be able to earn enough, or they would be fired these reasons caused the strike. However, the workers of the plant continued to fight until November 20.Īmong strikers were people of different classes and social communities, including women, migrants, non-labor union employees. On July 10, the Governor of the Pennsylvania state decided to send the national guards to restore order, which had to settle Homestead strike on July 12. After a fierce battle, the Pinkertons were forced to surrender. The agents of the Pinkerton Bureau hired by the company attacked striking workers. Seven workers and three agents from Pinkerton security agency were killed during a shootout between striking American workers and guards at the Homestead Steel facilities. On July 6, 1892, a firefight broke out, and the Carnegie factory became the scene of the Homestead massacre. After the strike began, the head of the Carnegie plant, Henry Clay Frick, hired strikebreakers and agents from the Pinkerton bureau to guard the production and managers. Even though Andrew Carnegie, himself, showed his understanding of the position of other strikers in other factories, the conflict was not resolved peacefully.Ībout 8,000 people took part in the strike, initiated by the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers. However, these members’ expectations regarding new opportunities and better terms have never been met. Out of eight hundred workers, only twenty were members of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers. Employees were not satisfied with their wages, working hours, and they were aiming to get a better salary. The situation happened when workers of the plant were negotiating the terms of new contracts because the previous agreement was due until June 1892.

Homestead Steel strike was one of the most acute conflicts in the history of the US labor movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The central cause of the attack was a lockout announced on June 30, 1892, in response to workers’ protests against a pay cut.

Homestead Steel strike is a rebellion of workers at the Andrew Carnegie steel mill in Homestead, Pennsylvania between June and November 1892.

Homestead strike cause and effect