On this day, 23 February 1864, 300 women collar laundry workers at 14 firms, who had just formed one of the first US’s women workers’ unions, went on strike in the town of Troy, New York. They were demanding pay increases of 20-25%, and better health and safety. At first the owners claimed they couldn’t afford to pay any more. However after 5 ½ days of strike action, a few of the employers caved in, with the rest giving into the workers’ demands the following day.
Learn more about the Collar Laundry Union in this timeline, including sources and maps, in our Stories web app: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/tag/7916/collar-laundry-unionhttps://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/2217046248480513/?type=3
