Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Research Paper
Lauren McDaniel
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Immoral owners ignored basic worker’s rights. Exceptionally hazardous working conditions, ridiculous long hours, and low wages were the lives of the workers at the Triangle Waist Company. Most workers were women immigrants seeking a better life in the United States. Speaking out would end with the loss of their needed jobs, forcing them to suffer personal indignities and severe mistreatment. Because of the poor working conditions the Women’s Trade Union League helped the younger women workers go on strike. This incident sparked a spontaneous walkout of its 400 employees. An agreement was made that established grievance system in the garment industry after the cloak maker’s strike of 1910. A fire broke out on the top floors of the Asch Building in the Triangle Waist Company on March 25, 1911. Terrified workers were helpless with their efforts to open the ninth floor doors which led to the Washington Place Stairs. Owners locked the exit doors claiming that workers stole supplies. The ninth floor fire escape led nowhere and it could not handle the weight of the workers trying to escape. Others waited to be rescued only to find the firefighters’ ladders were too short which kept any water from the …show more content…
People were demanding restitution, justice, and action that would protect the weak and the troubled. Workers quickly went to union quarters with demands of having the Triangle owners Harris and Blanck brought to trial. Clearly, strong unions could have a strong role in helping prevent tragedies. Workers who were organized in powerful unions would be more aware of their rights and better able to attain safe working conditions. The trial against Blanck and Harris concluded with a not guilty verdict. They are found guilty of locking the doors with a chain during working hours with 150 women still inside the
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Immoral owners ignored basic worker’s rights. Exceptionally hazardous working conditions, ridiculous long hours, and low wages were the lives of the workers at the Triangle Waist Company. Most workers were women immigrants seeking a better life in the United States. Speaking out would end with the loss of their needed jobs, forcing them to suffer personal indignities and severe mistreatment. Because of the poor working conditions the Women’s Trade Union League helped the younger women workers go on strike. This incident sparked a spontaneous walkout of its 400 employees. An agreement was made that established grievance system in the garment industry after the cloak maker’s strike of 1910. A fire broke out on the top floors of the Asch Building in the Triangle Waist Company on March 25, 1911. Terrified workers were helpless with their efforts to open the ninth floor doors which led to the Washington Place Stairs. Owners locked the exit doors claiming that workers stole supplies. The ninth floor fire escape led nowhere and it could not handle the weight of the workers trying to escape. Others waited to be rescued only to find the firefighters’ ladders were too short which kept any water from the …show more content…
People were demanding restitution, justice, and action that would protect the weak and the troubled. Workers quickly went to union quarters with demands of having the Triangle owners Harris and Blanck brought to trial. Clearly, strong unions could have a strong role in helping prevent tragedies. Workers who were organized in powerful unions would be more aware of their rights and better able to attain safe working conditions. The trial against Blanck and Harris concluded with a not guilty verdict. They are found guilty of locking the doors with a chain during working hours with 150 women still inside the