Homestead Strike 1892

What would you do if you had to deal with cut wages and long working hours? Today, we may quit our job and look for another. However, in the Gilded Era, mass industrialization and unregulated business practices meant that simply leaving a job was not a suitable option.

In 1892, Andrew Carnegie, the owner of Carnegie steel, was one of the wealthiest businessmen in the country. His indirect actions helped fuel a strike on his mill. Carnegie's manager, Henry Frick, announced wage cuts, refused to negotiate with the steel union, and locked workers out of the mill. Workers, fed up with the working conditions, started to strike the next day. Continue reading to see how the strike impacted workers in America!

Homestead Strike 1892 Definition

The Homestead Strike was a violent labor dispute between Andrew Carnegie's Steel Company and his workers. The strike began in 1892 at the Carnegie steel plant in Homestead, Pennsylvania.

Fig. 1 Carrie Furnace, Steel Homestead Works.

The workers, represented by the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers (AA), sought to renew a collective bargaining contract between Carnegie Steel and its' workers. However, out of the country at the time, Andrew Carnegie handed over operations to his manager Henry Clay Frick.

Cause of Homestead Strike 1892

Deepening tensions between laborers and factory owners increased with the organization of workers gathering together to form labor unions. These labor unions fought for workers' rights, such as fair wages, working hours, working conditions, and other labor laws. While previous labor strikes were unorganized, the powerful AA union represented the Homestead Strike.

Fig. 2 Portrait of Henry Clay Frick.

The American economy fluctuated steeply throughout the late nineteenth century, impacting both the businessman and laborer. Carnegie felt the impact of the economy when steel dropped from $35 in 1890 to $22 a ton in 1892. Operations manager Henry C. Frick met with the local leaders of the AA to begin negotiations regarding pay.

Considering the profit margin of Carnegie Steel, union leaders requested a wage increase. Frick provided a counteroffer of a 22% decrease in wages. This insulted the workers as Carnegie Steel made roughly $4.2 million in profits. Determined to end the union, Frick bargained with the union leaders for another month before the company stopped recognizing the union.

The Homestead Strike of 1892

So, let's look at the events of the strike itself.

Homestead Strike Timeline

Below is a timeline showing how the Homestead Strike progressed.

The Lockout

Unable to reach an agreement, Frick preceded to lock the workers out of the plant. The steelworkers did not strike alone as workers from the Knights of Labor decided to walk out in support.

Fig. 3 Top Picture: Mob Assailing Pinkerton Men Bottom Picture: Burning Barges 1892.

Following the lockout, AA workers lashed out against the plant by establishing picket lines. At the same time, Frick hired scabs. As the strike continued, Frick hired Pinkerton Detectives to protect the plant. Frick only intensified tensions amongst workers in hiring agents and replacement workers, and violence soon erupted.

Violent Exchange with Pinkerton Agents

As Pinkerton agents arrived via boat, workers and townspeople gathered to stop their arrival. As tensions rose, the groups exchanged gunfire resulting in the surrender of the agents. Twelve people lay dead, and townspeople beat several agents upon surrendering.

Fig. 4 The battle of the landing of the barges with Pinkertons against the strikers at the Homestead strike of 1892.

Due to the violence and Frick's request, the governor sent in National Guard troops, who quickly surrounded the steel mill. Though Carnegie remained in Scotland throughout the strike, he condoned Frick's actions. However, in 1892 Congress initiated an investigation on Henry Frick and his use of the Pinkerton agents.

In the quote above, Frick stated that he believed local authorities would not be able to provide adequate protection for the steel mill based on previous experiences.

Homestead Strike 1892 Result

The Homestead Strike of 1892 shared a similar fate to the Pullman Strike in 1894. The steelworkers gained widespread public support for their cause at the start of the strike. However, once the strike turned violent, support soon waned.

Eventually, the Homestead mill re-opened and reached full operations in August. Most striking workers returned to work with no positive changes in working conditions. The Amalgamated Association, severely damaged by the strike, nearly disintegrated. Carnegie took full advantage of the weak steel union and forced a 12-hour workday and lower wages onto the workers.

Homestead Strike 1892 Impact

The Homestead Strike did not meet the steel workers' expectations and only worsened working conditions in the aftermath. However, the strike's failure did produce impactful results. Frick's use of Pinkerton agents during the strike soured public opinion on using private security in labor strikes. In the years following Homestead, 26 states made it illegal to use private protection during strikes.

Fig. 5 This cartoon depicts Andrew Carnegie sitting on his steel company and money bags. Meanwhile, Frick locks workers out of the factory.

Though Carnegie remained physically separated from the Homestead incident, his reputation became severely damaged. Criticized as a hypocrite, Carnegie would spend years repairing his public image.

Homestead Strike 1892 Summary

In July 1892, steelworkers began a strike against Carnegie Steel in Homestead, Pennsylvania. Carnegie's manager, Henry Frick, implemented a severe pay cut and refused to negotiate with the Amalgamated steel union. Tensions rose when Frick locked almost 4,000 workers out of the mill.

Frick hired the Pinkerton agency for protection in response to the striking workers, resulting in a violent exchange with twelve people dead. Once the strike turned violent, the steel union lost public support and deteriorated. The Homestead Steel Mill returned to full operating status four short months after the start of the strike, and most workers were rehired. Carnegie continued to turn high profits while maintaining a twelve-hour workday and lower wages for his workers.