Triangle Fire

TRI-FIRE Significance

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in NYC was ablaze, and became one of the largest industrial disasters recorded in U.S. history. Forever changed the course of industrial practices and conditions within the U.S.

What Happened

A small fire broke out on the 8th floor, quickly spreading to floors 9 & 10 of the Asch Building located in Greenwich Village.

Escape Attempts

Normal escape routes such as front doors were locked, restricting the employees (mostly women) from leaving. Some tried to escape by the elevator, by the stairwell, or by the fire escape. (These routes were becoming overcrowded or blocked by collapsing structures and/or by flames. Employees began jumping from upper-story windows or from the elevator shaft. Many remained trapped on the 9th floor.

Death Toll

A Total of 146 victims died in the Triangle Fire.

Aftermath

Inspired a great campaign for workplace reform. ~30 separate laws were passed, including regulating the minimum wage and working conditions. The NYC commissioner began factory inspections (hundreds of the city's factories were unsafe.)

Griefing

The city was overwhelmed with grief, many being inspired to take action. Nearly 400,000 people gathered for the mass funeral of the victims.

Previous Incidents

Sep of 1909, 400 factory employees took part in a walk out. Later in November, union leaders and workers gathered for a strike meeting in the Great Hall of the Cooper Union.

Workplace Deaths

Weren’t uncommon back then. Around the year 1911, it is estimated that 100 workers died every day on the job.

Frances Perkins

Stood helplessly watching the factory burn and inspired her advocacy for workers rights. Later became Secretary of Labor under FDR.

Life of a Shirtwaist Maker

As young as 15 working 7 days a week for $6. Working hours 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Factories were unsanitary and were locked to keep women (who had to leave the building to use the bathroom) from leaving.

“Shirtwaist”

A woman’s blouse was one of the country’s first fashion statements. It was affordable for working women and was often worn with an ankle-length skirt.

International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union

(ILGWU), Local 25 Discussed a general strike during a meeting on Nov. 22 due to factory owners pressing workers to work longer hours for less money and the improvement of working conditions. Mostly female, shirtwaist and dress makers.

Clara Lemlich

Was 19 years old when listening to mostly male speakers cautioning against striking. Was one of the founders of Local 25 who was beaten by hired thuggers a couple months before due to her union involvement. After running out of patience with speakers (Like Samuel Gompers) at the meeting called for “a general strike right NOW!” Full time activist & founded a working-class suffrage group.

The Uprising of 20,000

More than 20,000 shirtwaist makers from 500 factories walked out, demanding a 20% pay raise, 52 hour workweek, and extra pay for overtime.

Response of the Uprising

Triangle Factory owners responded by helping form a manufacturing association to resist union demands using physical force and pressure.

Police and Judge involvement

Police arrested many strikers with judges fining and jailing them.

Wealthy Women Support

Anne Morgan (daughter of J.P. Morgan & Alva Belmont (Former Vanderbilt wife and suffragist) and other wealthy women supported strikes by holding rallies, fundraisers, and paying fines for arrested strikers. Believed that women’s working conditions were tied to women’s suffrage. Their actions encouraged more strikes and built public sympathy.

Small/Large Companies Deals

Small factories settled with strikers while larger factories held out. They agreed to higher pay and shorter hours but refused the idea of a closed shop, strikers rejected the deal. Ended in February 191- with most getting better pay and hours with no union rights.

Factory Investigating Commission

It was passed by New York’s governor Al Smith, 3 months after the incident due to pressure from activists. Investigated nearly 2,000 factories across dozens of industries and helped enact 8 laws ensuring the safety of workers.

Investigation and Trial

Owners Blanck & Harris tried to claim the factory was fireproof, however, reports that factory doors were locked led to their indictment for manslaughter under labor laws requiring unlocked exits. Many workers also testified, but defense attorney Max Steuer was able to create enough doubts that the owners were acquitted. 23 civil suits were filed after public outrage, settling in 1914 with the owners being required to pay $75 per victim.

Closing

Blanck & Harris still continued to violate safety laws in their new factory with the same locked doors and lack of fire exits which previously led to the deaths of 146 people. Triangle Wist Company officially closed in 1918.

The Progressive Era

Large movement that helped shape the reforms after the fire, mainly focussing on unsafe factories, long hours, low pay, child labor, poor housing, and political corruption.

The National Consumers’ League Association for Labor Legislation

Aimed to protect working women through both legislation and union organizing. Key women like Rose Schneiderman and Pauline Newman worked with this group for labor reform. They collected worker reports and exposed unsafe conditions, helping create the Citizens’ Committee for Public Safety.

Bureau of Fire Prevention

was created in 1911 to enforce fire safety and inspection codes.

Other Fire Safety Laws

Ban on smoking in factories in 1916, fireproof statewells, alarms, and extinguisher hoses were also introduced.