Confrontation between militia and strikers. 1912. Lawrence History Center.
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The Bread and Roses Strike of 1912 was a pivotal labor dispute in Lawrence, Massachusetts of textile workers, mainly immigrant women. The strike was triggered by wage cuts and worsening working conditions, and its “bread and roses” slogan symbolized the workers' demands for both fair pay (bread) and a quality of life they could enjoy (roses). Strikers, including their children, faced intimidation and violence from the police, state militia, and even U.S. Marines. Despite this, the workers’ community, the International Workers of the World (IWW), and socialists and other supporters across the country helped sustain the strike by providing food, childcare, coal for heating, and other support for the strikers until the bosses were forced to negotiate.The strike resulted in major gains, including better working conditions and pay raises of up to 25%. The Bread and Roses Strike helped inspire a wave of union activism and changes to labor laws and is a powerful example of the impact of solidarity and collective action in the labor movement.
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