Roosevelt Siding With Coal Workers

Theodore roosevelt s style was different from grover cleveland s and as he would demonstrate so was his attitude towards labor.

Roosevelt siding with coal workers.

Roosevelt was quick in calling the mine operators and workers to the white house. The coal operators were determined to break the strike and rejected all union offers to conciliate on the grounds that there was nothing to talk about. The early 20th century was marked by tensions between workers and employers. Their struggle and teddy roosevelt s role in it was to mark a turning point in labor history.

This became a centerpiece of roosevelt s progressive reputation in the coming years and showed that republicans as well as democrats could respond to the era s zest for reform. However the actions of teddy roosevelt in the coal strike of 1902 set a new tone in labor government relations. The coal strike that defined theodore roosevelt s presidency to put an end to the standoff the future progressive champion sought the help of a titan of business. Because mine owners refused to negotiate coal supplies dwindled.

The coal strike of 1902 also known as the anthracite coal strike was a strike by the united mine workers of america in the anthracite coalfields of eastern pennsylvania miners striked for higher wages shorter workdays and the recognition of their union the strike threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply to major american cities. Roosevelt repeatedly raised the issue but knox continued to advise the president that he had no right to intervene 23. About 140 000 workers demanded 20 increase in pay reduction of work day to 9 hours and several other improvements. In 1902 the pennsylvania coal miners walked out of the mines in a wage dispute.

Mitchell accepted roosevelt s suggestion of arbitration. Not long after eleanor roosevelt a consistent advocate for workers and workers rights on may 21 1935 shocked the nation and the editors of the nations newspapers by touring a coal mine. Fighting for safety standards grievance procedures and better pay workers in many trades held strikes to get the. In 1902 john mitchell called a miner s strike for an eight hour day a twenty percent wage increase and the recognition of the union.

In early may 1935 however the supreme court threw the labor side of the economic recovery back into complete disarray when it struck down the nira. Jesus and president roosevelt explained sopher. This caused factories schools and even hospitals to shut down especially in the winter. Roosevelt tried to solve this problem.