Coal Miners Dbq

Throughout the end of the 19th century, coal miners tried to Unionize. They believed this protected them from management. In 1902 Anthracite coal miners began a strike which divided the nation. This strike greatly influenced American labor relations for a generation. The coal miners union still struggled to be recognized. Management refused to recognize the Union. They believed it trampled on their rights to run their business any way they please. However the union undertook the dangerous task of organizing coal miners. In 1902 they decided to strike for the miners’ job security. The Union further sought to improve the miners’ standard of living. With the help of J.P. Morgan, the federal government established a commission to settle, and hopefully
end, the strike. President Theodore Roosevelt strove to put his “Square Deal” motto into action. The federal government actively took part in setting up the commission. The miners union achieved about half of their requested gains. They asked for a 20% pay raise. Miners received a 10% raise. While management refused to openly recognize the Union, they agreed to a board of half management and half Union representatives. Union leaders took this as de facto recognition and a major victory. This strike remained influential. Roosevelt’s handling was so adept that throughout the Progressive Era (ended early 1920s) no more major coal strikes occurred.